Serological Response to COVID-19 Vaccination in Saudi Arabia: A Comparative Study of IgG and Neutralising Antibodies Across Vaccine Platforms.

Background

In the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, various COVID-19 vaccines were administered during the pandemic. However, region-specific real-word comparative data on their immunogenicity remain limited. This study aimed to assess the serological responses to Pfizer-BioNTech (BNT162b2), Moderna (mRNA-1273), and AstraZeneca (ChAdOx1 nCoV-19) vaccines in a diverse population living in KSA.

Methods

This observational study included 236 adults recruited from vaccination sites in Riyadh. Participants provided serum samples at predefined intervals: before the first dose, after the first dose, after the second dose, and post-vaccination infection (if applicable). IgG and neutralising antibodies were quantified using ELISA assays. Demographic and vaccination data, and their associations with antibody responses, were evaluated.

Results

At baseline, 75.4% of participants were positive for SARS-CoV-2 IgG, suggesting high prior exposure. Marked incremental increases in IgG levels were observed after each vaccine dose. Both Moderna and Pfizer elicited stronger responses, with Pfizer inducing the strongest early response and Moderna achieving the highest overall titres. Among IgG-positive individuals, neutralising antibodies were detected in 98.1%. There were no statistically significant differences by age or gender, although males tended to show higher mean titres. Heterologous vaccine schedules induced comparable or enhanced immunogenicity relative to homologous schedules, supporting their use in flexible immunisation strategies.

Conclusions

All COVID-19 vaccines administered in Saudi Arabia elicited robust antibody responses, particularly the mRNA-based vaccines. Our findings support their continued use and justify varied vaccination approaches, including mix-and-match booster strategies, to enhance community immunity.