New laboratory research links vaccine response to age

A new study done by the Oregon Health and Science University shows that elderly have fewer antibodies against the coronavirus. This study was published in the journal of the American medical Association.”Our older populations are potentially more susceptible to the variants even if they are vaccinated.” said senior author Fikadu Tafesse, Ph.D. assistant professor of molecular microbiology and immunology in the OHSU School of Medicine.However, Tafesse and his colleagues emphasized that the vaccine was effective to prevent infection and illness in people belonging to all age groups. Tafesse added that “the good news is that our vaccines are really strong.”The vaccinations are still said to be effective in reducing the spread of coronavirus and its variants. “The more people get vaccinated, the less the virus circulatlates.” Tafesse added. “Older people aren’t entirely safe just because they are vaccinated; the people around them really need to be vaccinated as well. At the end of the day, this study really means that everybody needs to be vaccinated to protect the community.”The research was conducted on 50 people two weeks after they got their second dose of the Pfizer vaccine. The blood serum was exposed to the gamma variant after grouping the samples into age groups.The results of the study showed that the youngest group, all in their 20s had a more robust antibody response. On the other hand, people between 70 and 82 years of age showed a lower antibody response.”Older people might be more susceptible to variants than younger individuals,” Tafesse said.The findings highlight the importance of vaccinating older people as well as others who may be more vulnerable to Covid-19, said co-author Marcel Curlin, MD, associate professor of medicine (infectious diseases) in the OHSU School of Medicine.”The vaccine still produces strong immune responses compared with natural infection in most older individuals, even if they are lower than their younger counterparts,” Curlin said. “Vaccination in this group may make the difference between serious and mild disease, and likely reduces the chances of transmitting SARS-CoV-2 to another person,” Curlin added.