DEVELOPMENT OF A LONG-LASTING HUMORAL IMMUNE RESPONSE AGAINST THE Pfizer/BioNTech mRNA-BASED VACCINE IN HEALTHY ADULT PARTICIPANTS

Abstract

In December 2019, a cluster of pneumonia cases of unknown etiology was reported in Wuhan City, China. Later, the causative agent was identified as a new member of coronaviruses, and was named SARS-CoV-2. This virus quickly spread globally prompting the WHO to declare the outbreak a pandemic on March 11, 2020. The research to develop a vaccine for the novel coronavirus has taken place at an unprecedented fast pace, with clinical trials kicking off just a few months after the first case was identified. Currently, more than 180 vaccines candidates are under development with lack of evidence about the long term protection conferred by these vaccines. One of the vaccines imported by the Ministry of Health of Lebanon is the RNA-based vaccine (BNT162b2) developed by Pfizer/BioNTech. This vaccine was administered at the American University of Beirut Medical Center and other medical centers based on criteria and schedules set by the MOH.