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. 2024 Aug 1;13(3):63.
doi: 10.3390/antib13030063.

Knowledge of the Serological Response to the Third BNT162b2 Vaccination May Influence Compliance of Healthcare Workers to Booster Dose

Avi Magid  1   2 , Khetam Hussein  1   3   4 , Halima Dabaja-Younis  3   5 , Moran Szwarcwort-Cohen  6 , Ronit Almog  7 , Michal Mekel  1   3 , Avi Weissman  1 , Gila Hyams  8 , Vardit Gepstein  1   3   9 , Netanel A Horowitz  1   3   10 , Hagar Cohen Saban  8 , Jalal Tarabeia  4   11 , Michael Halberthal  1   3 , Yael Shachor-Meyouhas  1   3
Affiliations

Knowledge of the Serological Response to the Third BNT162b2 Vaccination May Influence Compliance of Healthcare Workers to Booster Dose

Avi Magid et al. Antibodies (Basel). .

Abstract

Background: Previous studies showed that the fourth SARS-CoV-2 vaccine dose has a protective effect against infection, as well as against severe disease and death. This study aimed to examine whether knowledge of a high-level antibody after the third dose may reduce compliance to the fourth booster dose among healthcare workers (HCWs).

Methods: We conducted a prospective cohort study among HCWs vaccinated with the first three doses at Rambam Healthcare Campus, a tertiary hospital in northern Israel. Participants underwent a serological test before the fourth booster vaccine was offered to all of them, with results provided to participants. The population was divided into two groups, namely those with antibodies below 955 AU/mL and those with 955 AU/mL and higher, a cutoff found protective in a previous study. Multiple logistic regression was carried out to compare the compliance to the fourth booster between the two groups, adjusted for demographic and clinical variables.

Results: After adjusting for the confounding variables, the compliance was higher in those with antibody levels below 955 AU/mL (OR = 1.41, p = 0.05, 95% CI 1.10-1.96). In addition, male sex and age of 60 years and above were also associated with higher vaccination rates (OR = 2.28, p < 0.001, 95% CI 1.64-3.17), (OR = 1.14, p = 0.043, 95% CI 1.06-1.75), respectively.

Conclusions: Knowledge of the antibody status may affect compliance with the booster dose. Considering waning immunity over time, reduced compliance may affect the protection of HCWs who declined the fourth dose.

Keywords: SARS-CoV-2; booster; compliance; healthcare workers; vaccination.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
The serology cohort description based on our previous study on the same cohort [8].
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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