SARS-CoV-2 specific T cell and humoral immune responses upon vaccination with BNT162b2

Background. The humoral and cellular immune responses against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) upon coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination remain to be clarified. Hence, we aimed to investigate the chronological changes in SARS-CoV-2 specific IgG antibody, neutralizing antibody, and T cell responses during and after receiving the BNT162b2 vaccine. Methods. We performed serological, neutralization, and T cell assays among 100 hospital workers aged 22-73 years who received the vaccine. We conducted five surveys on day 1, day 15, day 29 (seven days after the second dose), day 61, and days 82-96 following the first dose. Results. SARS-CoV-2 spike protein-specific IgG (IgG-S) titers and T cell responses increased significantly following the first vaccination dose. The highest titers were observed on day 29 and decreased gradually until the end of the follow-up period. There was no correlation between IgG-S and T cell responses. Notably, T cell responses were detected on day 15, earlier than the onset of neutralizing activity. Conclusions. This study demonstrated that both IgG-S and T cell responses were detected before acquiring sufficient levels of SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing antibodies. These early immune responses are sustained for approximately six-ten weeks following the second vaccination dose.