Estimation of SARS-CoV-2 IgG Antibodies in Healthcare Worker-Administered Covishield and Covaxin Vaccines at a Tertiary Care Hospital in Jharkhand, India

Abstract

Introduction

To mitigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, global distribution of vaccines such as Covishield and Covaxin has been undertaken. This research aimed to assess the responses and potential differences between these vaccines by examining the presence and levels of SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibodies in healthcare professionals who received them.

Methodology

A comprehensive cross-sectional study was conducted at a tertiary care facility in Ranchi involving 227 healthcare professionals who had completed both doses of either Covishield or Covaxin. Blood samples were collected and subjected to chemiluminescence immunoassay analysis to measure IgG antibodies. Demographic data, immunization records, and previous COVID-19 infections were recorded. Statistical analyses, including analysis of variance (ANOVA), linear regression, and independent sample t-tests were performed.

Results

Antibody titers exhibited variability, potentially influenced by factors. There was no difference in antibody titers between recipients of Covishield and Covaxin vaccines. Linear regression analysis revealed a correlation between antibody levels and the number of days after vaccination. Factors such as age, gender, blood group, and prior COVID-19 infections did not significantly impact antibody titers.

Conclusions

This study contributes to responses elicited by Covishield and Covaxin vaccines among healthcare workers. The results highlight that Covishield showed a higher mean titer value than Covaxin, which is not statistically significant. The overall model showed statistically significant results indicating age, type of vaccine, number of days after vaccination, blood group, and previous history of COVID-19 infection collectively influenced the CoV-2 IgG titer values. The findings indicate that age, number of days after vaccination, and prior history of COVID-19 infection have substantial relationships with the CoV-2 IgG titer, but sex, vaccine type, and blood group show lesser, nonsignificant associations.