Efficacy of mRNA-1273 and Novavax ancestral or BA.1 spike booster vaccines against SARS-CoV-2 BA.5 infection in nonhuman primates

• DOI: 10.1126/sciimmunol.adg7015
• Publication Date: 2023-05-16T13:58:12Z
• Authors: Nanda Kishore Routhu; Samuel David Stam...; Lilin Lai; Akil Akhtar; Xin Tong; Dansu Yuan; Taras M. Chicz; Ryan P. McNamara; Kishor Jakkala; Meredith E. Davis...; E. Lovisa St Pierre; Brandon Smith; Kristyn Moore Green; Nadia Golden; Breanna Picou; Sherrie M. Jean; Jennifer Wood; Joyce Cohen; Ian N. Moore; Nita Patel; Mimi Guebre-Xabier; Gale Smith; Greg Glenn; Pamela A. Kozlowski; Galit Alter; Rafi Ahmed; Mehul S. Suthar; Rama Rao Amara
• Keywords: Viremia; Booster dose; Vaccine efficacy

Omicron SARS-CoV-2 variants escape vaccine-induced neutralizing antibodies and cause nearly all current COVID-19 cases. Here, we compared the efficacy of three booster vaccines against BA.5 challenge in rhesus macaques: mRNA-1273, Novavax ancestral spike protein vaccine (NVX-CoV2373), or BA.1 version (NVX-CoV2515). All induced a strong cross-reactive binding antibody changed immunoglobulin G (Ig) dominance from IgG1 to IgG4 serum. also comparable responses multiple concern, including BQ.1.1, along with long-lived plasma cells bone marrow. The ratio WA-1 spike-specific antibody-secreting blood was higher NVX-CoV2515 animals NVX-CoV2373 animals, suggesting better recall BA.1-specific memory B by vaccine. Further, low levels CD4 but not CD8 T cell blood. After variant, showed protection lungs controlled virus replication nasopharynx. In addition, both blunted viral nasopharynx at day 2. infection upper respiratory airways correlated binding, neutralizing, ADNP activities serum antibody. These data have important implications for development, because that lower nasopharyngeal may help reduce transmission.