The combination and order of vaccines against SARS-CoV-2 can affect the body's immune response

Numerous vaccines have been developed against SARS-CoV-2, which use different technologies to deliver their active ingredients into cells. These include mRNA (messenger ribonucleic acids), adenoviruses, or inactivated viruses.

As part of “The LOOP Zurich” project “Dissecting the complex interplay between SARS-CoV-2 and the immune system for identification of COVID-19- and hyper-inflammation-specific immune signatures,” Prof. Burkhard Becher’s team from the Institute of Experimental Immunology at the University of Zurich, together with partners from the University of Cordoba (Argentina), studied five COVID-19 vaccines and the three technologies mentioned above in a total of 16 combinations.

The results showed that the quality of the immune response depends on both the type of vaccine used and the order in which they are administered. The findings of this study offer opportunities for improving future vaccination strategies against other pathogens or against cancer. The study was published in Nature Immunology and can be accessed here.