# An Analysis of Antibody Response to COVID-19 Vaccination Among Medicos in a Predominantly Tribal State in India: A Comparative Study

## TL;DR

This study compares antibody responses to COVID-19 vaccines in healthcare workers in a tribal region of India, finding stronger and longer-lasting responses in those previously infected with the virus.

## Contribution

The study provides novel insights into vaccine-induced antibody dynamics in a tribal population, comparing vaccinated individuals with and without prior infection.

## Key findings

- Individuals with prior infection showed higher and longer-lasting antibody titers compared to those without.
- Covishield titers dropped significantly over time in those with prior infection, while Covaxin remained stable.
- Antibody response peaked six months post-vaccination for those with prior infection, taking twice as long for uninfected individuals.

## Abstract

Introduction

Global health is still being impacted by the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.

Objectives

We evaluated the antibody response in this study in individuals who received two doses of the COVID-19 vaccination, both with and without a history of SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Methodology

It was a hospital-based cross-sectional study conducted among healthcare personnel at a tertiary institution of a predominantly tribal state in India.

Results

A total of 187 medical students made up the vaccinee group; the majority (152; 81.3%) were between the ages of 18 and 23; 128 (68.4%) of the students were female; and 104 (55.6%) had received the Covishield (AstraZeneca plc, England, UK) vaccination. Of the subjects, 51 (27.3%) had a history of COVID-19 infection. For those who were infected, the antibody titer peaked after six months, whereas it took twice as long for those who were not. Up to a year later, the antibody titers for Covaxin (Bharat Biotech, Hyderabad, India) and Covishield remained equal; however, Covishield titers drastically decreased while Covaxin stayed constant when an infection history was present.

Conclusion

The study's findings show that immunization in individuals who have previously contracted COVID-19 induces a higher level of antibody response than immunization in individuals who have not previously contracted the virus.