Immunogenicity and Safety of SARS-CoV-2 Protein Subunit Recombinant Vaccine (IndoVac®) as a Heterologous Booster Dose against COVID-19 in Indonesian Adolescents

Abstract

Adolescents are vulnerable to Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infections; thus, their antibodies should be maintained above the protective value. This study aimed to evaluate the immune response and safety to the SARS-CoV-2 protein subunit recombinant vaccine (IndoVac®) as a heterologous booster dose against COVID-19 in Indonesian adolescents. This open-label prospective intervention study enrolled 150 clinically healthy adolescents aged 12–17 years who had received complete primary doses of the CoronaVac® vaccine from Garuda Primary Care Centres in Bandung City. The result of immunogenicity was presented with a 95% confidence interval (CI) and analyzed with t-tests from 14 days and 3, 6, and 12 months. The neutralizing antibody geometric mean titers (GMTs) (IU/mL) at baseline and 14 days after booster dose were 303.26 and 2661.2, respectively. The geometric mean fold rises (GMFR) at 3, 6, and 12 months after booster dose were 6.67 (5.217–8.536), 3.87 (3.068–4.886), and 2.87 (2.232–3.685), respectively. Both the neutralizing antibody and IgG antibody were markedly higher in the adolescents than in the adults at every timepoint. The incidence rate of adverse effects (AEs) until 28 days after booster dose was 82.7%, with a higher number of local events reported. Most reported solicited AEs were local pain followed by myalgia with mild intensity. Unsolicited AEs varied with each of the incidence rates < 10%, mostly with mild intensity. Adverse events of special interest (AESI) were not observed. At the 12-month follow-up after the booster dose, four serious adverse events (SAEs) not related to investigational products and research procedures were noted. This study showed that IndoVac® has a favorable immunogenicity and safety profile as a booster in adolescents and that the antibody titer decreases over time.