Moderna vaccine has similar immune response to natural infection

New study published in Science. Abstract from paper:

quote:

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Vaccine-specific CD4+ T cell, CD8+ T cell, binding antibody, and neutralizing antibody responses to the 25-µg Moderna mRNA-1273 vaccine were examined over 7 months post-immunization, including multiple age groups, with a particular interest in assessing whether pre-existing cross-reactive T cell memory impacts vaccine-generated immunity. Vaccine-generated spike-specific memory CD4+ T cells 6 months post-boost were comparable in quantity and quality to COVID-19 cases, including the presence of T follicular helper cells and IFN?-expressing cells. Spike-specific CD8+ T cells were generated in 88% of subjects, with equivalent memory at 6 months post-boost compared to COVID-19 cases. Lastly, subjects with pre-existing cross-reactive CD4+ T cell memory had increased CD4+ T cell and antibody responses to the vaccine, demonstrating the biological relevance of SARS-CoV-2–cross-reactive CD4+ T cells.

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This paper was from Crotty et al. Crotty is a widely respected vaccine researcher at the La Jolla Institute.

They were looking specifically at T cell immunity (not antibodies) and were looking at people from Phase 1 clinical trials who took only a quarter dose of the Moderna vaccine. Even in people who took this reduced dose, the T cell immune response was strong and lasts at least 6 months, though the researchers believe immunity lasts much longer than that.

In other words, booster shots probably aren't needed. The T cells last much longer than antibodies. And considering that the official Moderna vaccine is 100 micrograms, our protection is likely stronger than the people in this study (who took 25 micrograms).

I am glad that I rolled up my sleeve and proudly took my Moderna Trump vaccine.