Neutralizing antibodies are thought to be key to the development of an efficient vaccine against SARS-CoV-2. Researchers at the University of Montreal Hospital Research Centre (CRCHUM) indicate that ensuring their presence over long periods of time might be required.

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“Our study shows that more than six infected people in ten generated neutralizing antibodies in only 2 weeks after disease symptom onset. Nevertheless, this neutralization capacity decreases after a period of 6 weeks. In this case, a few booster shots of the vaccine will probably be required for long-term protection of the population,” said researcher Andrés Finzi, the Canada Research Chair in Retroviral Entry and a professor at the Université de Montréal.

In a non-peer-reviewed study posted online on the preprint server bioRxiv, Finzi’s team evaluated the neutralizing capacity of plasma—the liquid component of blood containing antibodies—1, 2, 3, and 6 weeks after disease symptom onset. To do so, the team used virus-like particles that express SARS-CoV-2 S glycoprotein (or Spike glycoprotein) on their surface. This “key” allows the virus to unlock the door of healthy cells, go inside and infect them.