Strong immune memory lasted in all age groups tested after receiving the Moderna vaccine, including individuals over 70 years of age who are especially vulnerable to COVID-19.
A low dose of the COVID-19 vaccine from Moderna elicits immunity for at least 6 months, according to researchers at the La Jolla Institute for Immunology. Notably, the researchers also found no indications that vaccinated people will need a booster shot.
Although the data found that the vaccine elicited strong CD4-positive T cells, CD8-positive T cells, and antibody responses for at least 6 months after vaccination in a clinical trial, the researchers said immune responses would likely last much longer. This strong immune memory lasted in all age groups tested, including individuals over 70 years of age who are especially vulnerable to COVID-19.
“This time point is critical because that is when true immune memory has formed,” said study co-leader Daniela Weiskopf, PhD, in the press release.
Investigators compared data from recovered COVID-19 patients to vaccine trial participants who received a 25-microgram dose of the Moderna vaccine during phase 1 clinical trials. This is a quarter of the 100-microgram dose given emergency use authorization by the FDA, and although the researchers do not know whether this small dose is as effective as the larger dose, their findings showed that the T cell and antibody response is still strong.