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. 2025 Mar 19;5(3):e0004312.
doi: 10.1371/journal.pgph.0004312. eCollection 2025.

Disparities in anti-SARS-CoV-2 reactivity according to vaccines administered in the era of omicron in Cameroon: Lessons for future outbreak response

Ezechiel Ngoufack Jagni Semengue  1 , Desire Takou  1 , Marina Potesta  2 , Sandrine Claire Ndjeyep Djupsa  1 , Carla Montesano  2   3 , Collins Ambes Chenwi  1   4 , Grace Beloumou  1 , Alex Durand Nka  1 , Aurelie Minelle Kengni Ngueko  1   4 , Evariste Molimbou  1   3   4 , Naomi-Karell Etame  1   5 , Davy-Hyacinthe Gouissi Anguechia  1   5 , Audrey Rachel Mundo Nayang  1 , Pamela Patricia Tueguem  1 , Therese Ndomgue  1   2 , Derrick Tambe Ayuk Ngwese  1   5 , Larissa Gaëlle Moko Fotso  1   5 , Carlos Michel Tommo Tchouaket  1   6 , Aude Christelle Ka'e  1   4 , Nadine Fainguem  1 , Cyrille Alain Abega Abega  1 , Nadia Mandeng  7   8   9 , Emilienne Epee  5   8   9 , Linda Esso  8   9 , Georges Etoundi Mballa  8   9 , Maria Mercedes Santoro  4 , Anne-Cecile Z-K Bissek  10 , John Otokoye Otshudiema  11 , Claudia Alteri  12 , Yap Boum Ii  5   8   9 , Anne-Geneviève Marcelin  13 , Francesca Ceccherini-Silberstein  4 , Alexis Ndjolo  1   5 , Carlo-Federico Perno  1   14 , Jean Kaseya  15 , Vittorio Colizzi  1   3 , Nicaise Ndembi  15   16 , Joseph Fokam  1   8   17
Affiliations

Disparities in anti-SARS-CoV-2 reactivity according to vaccines administered in the era of omicron in Cameroon: Lessons for future outbreak response

Ezechiel Ngoufack Jagni Semengue et al. PLOS Glob Public Health. .

Abstract

With the advent of COVID-19, anti-SARS-CoV-2 vaccines were a global health priority, but evidence on their significance within tropical settings remained limited. We sought to assess the distribution of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies according to vaccine status and types of vaccines administered in Cameroon during Omicron waves. A community based cross-sectional sero-survey was conducted from February-15 through July-31 2022 among individuals tested for COVID-19 in Yaoundé-Cameroon. Sociodemographic data were collected from participants. Anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies (both IgG and IgM) were tested on plasma and statistical analyses were performed wherever appropriate. Logistic regression was done with p<0.05 considered statistically significant. Overall, 2449 participants were enrolled: median-age was 40 [31-49], 56.4% (1382/2449) men, 2.2% (54/2449) with flu-like symptoms and 19.6% (481/2449) reporting previous SARS-CoV-2 positivity. Regarding COVID-19 vaccination, 67.5% (1652/2449) had received at least one dose, 55.0% (909/1652) two-dose series and 37.1% (613/1652) received additional booster doses. Median duration from vaccination to phlebotomy was 5 [4-9] months. Seroprevalence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies was 81.1% (1987/2449). Following logistic regression, vaccine status (aOR=1.95), booster doses (aOR=1.36), post-vaccination time (≤5 months; aOR=1.64), Pfizer (aOR=2.07) and Moderna (aOR=1.52) vaccines, were all associated with a high prevalence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies (all p<0.05). This high seroprevalence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies suggests a certain degree of immunity/protection at community-level in Cameroon during Omicron waves, with Pfizer and Moderna inducing greater immunogenicity. However, rapid antibody waning (~5 months) calls for vaccine updates with novel variants (arising from a rapidly evolving virus) that could compromise already acquired immunity.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no existing conflicts of interest. The funders had no role in the design of the study; in the collection, analyses, or interpretation of data; in the writing of the manuscript; or in the decision to publish the results.

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