Booster vaccines produced different antibody patterns in older adults
A randomized comparison tracked antibody responses and reactions, with mixed differences between vaccines and no reported outcomes on illness prevention.
Based on the published abstract. The full paper may contain additional methods, results and limitations.
The 30-second takeaway
In older adults, both booster vaccines produced antibody responses, with some laboratory measures numerically favoring mRNA-1273. After the second booster, the difference in the proportion reaching the prespecified antibody threshold was not statistically significant. These results describe immune responses; the abstract does not establish that either vaccine prevented more infections, hospitalizations, or deaths.
This abstract reports immune markers and brief adverse-event monitoring, without clinical protection outcomes or confidence intervals for the main between-vaccine response comparison.
What researchers found
Participants reaching the antibody-response threshold
BNT162b2 versus mRNA-1273 at 14 days after the second booster: two-fold rise in geometric mean antibody titer against the original virus's receptor-binding region; P = 0.056 (not statistically significant).
Immune markers and reactions
Researchers measured antibodies and virus neutralization. Vaccine-related reactions affected fewer mRNA-1273 recipients than BNT162b2 recipients, but grade 2 reactions were more frequent. Adverse events were monitored for 7 days after vaccination.
Patterns over time
Comparing 12 months with 14 days after the corresponding booster, antibody levels were similar or slightly higher in the first-booster cohort. In the second-booster cohort, levels were lower in both vaccine arms.
The original publication
Immunogenicity, reactogenicity, and safety to assess booster vaccinations with BNT162b2 or double-dose mRNA-1273 in adults ≥75 years (EU-COVAT-1-AGED)-final report.
Stemler J, Yeghiazaryan L, Stephan C et al.
Int J Infect Dis · 2026
- PubMed ID
- 41655623
- Record checked
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