Reactogenicity and Immunogenicity of the ChAdOx1 nCOV-19 Coronavirus Disease 2019 Vaccine in South Korean Healthcare Workers
Authors
JongHoon Hyun ; Yongjung Park ; Young Goo Song ; Sang Hoon Han ; Soon Young Park ; Sin Hye Kim ; Ji Su Park ; So Young Jeon ; Hye Sun Lee ; Kyoung Hwa Lee
Citation
YONSEI MEDICAL JOURNAL, Vol.63(12) : 1078-1087, 2022-12
Antibodies ; COVID-19 Vaccines* / adverse effects ; COVID-19* / prevention & control ; ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 ; Fever ; Health Personnel ; Humans ; Pain / etiology ; Republic of Korea ; SARS-CoV-2
Keywords
ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 ; adverse events ; immunogenicity
Abstract
Purpose: The association between reactogenicity and immunogenicity of the ChAdOx1 nCOV-19 is controversial. We aimed to evaluate this association among South Korean healthcare workers (HCWs).
Materials and methods: Participants received two doses of the ChAdOx1vaccine 12 weeks apart. Blood samples were tested for anti-severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) spike protein receptor binding domain antibodies about 2 months after the first and second doses using the Elecsys Anti-SARS-CoV-2 S assay kits. Adverse events were noted using an online self-reporting questionnaire.
Results: Among the 232 HCWs, pain (85.78% after the first dose vs. 58.62% after the second dose, p<0.001) was the most prominent local reaction, and myalgia or fatigue (84.05% vs. 53.02%, p<0.001) was the most prominent systemic reaction. The frequency of all adverse events was significantly reduced after the second dose. After the first dose, the anti-SARS-CoV-2 S showed significantly higher titer in the group with swelling, itching, fever, and nausea. Also, the anti-SARS-CoV-2 S titer significantly increased as the grade of fever (p=0.007) and duration of fever (p=0.026) increased; however, there was no significant correlation between immunogenicity and adverse event after the second dose. The group with pain after the first dose showed a greater increase in the anti-SARS-CoV-2 S difference between the second and first doses compared to the group without pain (542.2 U/mL vs. 363.8 U/mL, p=0.037).
Conclusion: The frequency of adverse events occurring after the first dose of the ChAdOx1 was significantly reduced after the second dose. Interestingly, the elevation of anti-SARS-CoV-2 S titer was significantly increased in the group with pain after the first dose.