JAMA: Research shows that vaccine immune response is related to age

A new laboratory study from the Oregon Health and Science University shows that the elderly appear to have fewer antibodies to the new coronavirus

Antibodies are blood proteins that are produced by the immune system to prevent infection

The research was published in the Journal of the American Medical Association

Senior author Dr.

Tafesse and his colleagues emphasized that although they have detected a reduction in the antibody response in the elderly, the vaccine still appears to be effective enough to prevent infections and serious illnesses in most people of all ages

Tafesse said: "The good news is that our vaccine is very strong

However, as the rate of vaccination in Oregon and across the United States slows, the researchers say their findings emphasize the importance of promoting vaccination in local communities

Vaccination can reduce the spread of the virus and new and possibly more contagious mutations, especially for older people who seem to be more susceptible to breakthrough infections

Tafesse said: “The more people who are vaccinated, the less the virus will spread

Researchers measured the immune response in 50 people's blood two weeks after the second injection of Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine

The youngest group-all in their 20s-had an antibody response nearly 7 times higher than the oldest group between 70 and 82 years old

"Older people may be more susceptible to mutation than young people," Tafesse said

The study's co-author and associate professor of medicine (infectious diseases) at Ohio State University School of Medicine Marcel Curlin, MD, said these findings underscore the importance of vaccinating the elderly and others who may be more susceptible to COVID-19

Curlin said: "Compared with the natural infections of most elderly people, the vaccine still produces a strong immune response, even if their immune response is lower than that of young people