COVID-19 mRNA Vaccination Generates Greater Immunoglobulin G Levels in Women Compared to Men
Alexis R. Demonbreun, Amelia Sancilio, Matt E. Velez, Daniel T. Ryan, Lorenzo L. Pesce, Rana Saber, Lauren A. Vaught, Nina L. Reiser, Ryan R. Hsieh, Richard T. D’Aquila, Brian Mustanski, Thomas W. McDade, Elizabeth M. McNally
Abstract
We investigated whether the antibody response to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) mRNA vaccination is similar in women and men. In a community cohort without prior COVID-19, first vaccine dose produced higher immunoglobulin G (IgG) levels and percent inhibition of spike-ACE2 receptor binding, a surrogate measure of virus neutralization, in women compared to men (7.0 µg/mL, 51.6% vs 3.3 µg/mL, 36.4%). After 2 doses, IgG levels remained significantly higher for women (30.4 µg/mL) compared to men (20.6 µg/mL), while percent inhibition was similar (98.4% vs 97.7%). Sex-specific antibody response to mRNA vaccination informs future efforts to understand vaccine protection and side effects.