Was the vaccine wasted? Neutralizing antibodies and immune response at 1/4 dose? Experts cry out: Give half a shot first to save lives!
There are not enough vaccines and there are many virus variants. Scholars: Reducing the dose of vaccination can help save lives.
COVID-19 variants are raging, and countries are suffering from uneven vaccine distribution and low coverage, leading to a recent resurgence of the epidemic. Scientists try to find a corresponding strategy. An analysis of raw subject data published in a BMJ preprint found that the mRNA vaccine can produce immune responses and neutralizing antibodies in the body at only 1/4 of the dose. Economists believe that judging from antibody data and T cells, “administration at half the dose” can solve the current shortage of COVID-19 vaccines and help save more lives.
The top international academic journal “NATURE” reported that blood analysis of 35 participants in the original trial by the La Jolla Institute for Immunology found that the experimenters were given 1/4 dose of Moderna COVID-19 After two more doses of the vaccine, the subjects produced sustainable antibody concentrations and a T-cell immune response that could fight the virus.
Alex Tabarrok, an economist at George Mason University, commented that the uneven distribution of vaccines is “like killing people.” Coupled with relevant blood analysis data, it is found that a small amount of vaccination can also have a certain protective effect. If it can be started early, Promoting “low-dose” vaccination methods should be able to vaccinate at least one million more people.
Low-dose mRNA vaccine neutralizing antibodies and T cells are equivalent to those who have recovered
“NATURE” report analysis pointed out that in the initial experiments of Moderna’s mRNA vaccine, three doses of 25, 100 and 250 micrograms were used. The highest dose was too toxic and the lowest dose had insufficient immune response. The medium dose showed the best balance. It can induce sufficient immunity and the side effects are within a tolerable range. The doses of the Moderna vaccine subsequently approved by dozens of countries were all 100 micrograms. However, the Moderna research team has also stated that half the dose seems to be equivalent to the standard dose in stimulating immunity.
To confirm whether a low-dose mRNA vaccine could provide protection, scientists analyzed the blood of 35 subjects in the original trial, who all received a shot of the vaccine 28 days apart. The results found that 6 months after the second dose, almost all participants had neutralizing antibodies that could block the virus. A different group of T cells has also been discovered that can enhance immune defense. More importantly, their neutralizing antibody and T cell concentrations were the same as those of people who had recovered from COVID-19.
Study author Daniela Weiskopf of the La Jolla Institute for Immunology in California believes that this finding is quite surprising, especially since an effective response can still be clearly detected for some time after the injection. Belgium is also comparing low-dose administration of Pfizer’s BNT vaccine with standard-dose administration.
Vaccination is a race against time. Economists urge “vaccine half first”
Tabarrok said that if the immune response stimulated by low-dose administration is proven to be effective in preventing COVID-19 infection and severe disease, it is not unfeasible to use 1/4-dose administration to speed up global vaccine coverage. Tabarrok also believes that through economic model estimation, the low-dose vaccine administration strategy will reduce the number of infections and deaths more than the current vaccine administration methods in various countries. However, the study has not yet been peer-reviewed.
Tabarrok stressed that vaccination “is a race against time.” A half-dose of the vaccine now will be more effective than waiting a year later for the standard dose, and administering two low-dose doses is equivalent to additional vaccination. Fighting, “is a good way to promote global vaccine equity!”
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