Repeated coronavirus mRNA vaccinations contribute to a more "robust" defence against the virus, according to a study by Ghent researchers published in the Science Translational Medicine journal on Wednesday.
Messenger RNA or mRNA vaccines work by instructing the body to create a harmless protein found on the surface of the Covid-19 virus. This leads to the creation of antibodies which can fight against the virus if a person is infected. Booster vaccines are utilised to maintain the immune response.
While booster shots are central to the ongoing health response to covid variants, the extent to which mRNA vaccines contributed to immune responses in mucous membranes, such as those in the respiratory system, was unknown.
The Belgian study showed that repeated covid vaccinations increased the antibodies found in the membrane lining in the nose, which is important to "block" the entrance of the virus, explained PhD student Jozefien Declercq.
"Not only that, but the immune responses in response to the mRNA vaccines may persist longer than previously thought, offering hope for durable protection against emerging variants of the virus," said Declercq in a statement to the press.
"This could have profound implications for future public health strategies, especially as we face new variants that could be of concern," elaborated the co-senior author of the study, Dr. Linos Vandekerckhove.
The study followed a sample group of 183 participants at different points after the primary and the booster vaccinations.
It was carried out by scientists from Ghent University, the Ghent University Hospital, and the Centre for Inflammation Research in VIB-UGent.
The project was funded by the European Research Council, the Flemish fund for scientific research (FWO), Ghent University, and the Flemish institute of biotechnology (VIB).
Science Translational Medicine is a weekly online scientific journal dedicated to research related to human health.
