Turkish University Reveals Findings On Efficacy Of Three Doses Of COVID-19 Vaccine

JAKARTA - Turkey's Manisa Celal Bayar University (MCBÜ) Wednesday announced the findings of a study that three doses of Sinovc's COVID-19 vaccine were able to provide protective antibodies.

Manisa Celal Bayar University (MCBÜ) researchers conducted a study of 1,053 healthcare professionals, who worked at the Hafsa Sultan University Hospital and received the COVID-19 vaccine.

The results revealed that those who received three doses of China's Sinovac COVID-19 vaccine achieved protective antibody levels. According to a written statement from the university, the MCBÜ Scientific Research Projects Unit investigated the 6 month follow-up results of the Sinovac SARS-CoV-2 or CoronaVac vaccine administered in Turkey. And, the efficacy results were obtained after the 3rd dose.

Mentioned, 1,053 health workers voluntarily participated in the study and the frequency of illness, as well as the level of antibodies made by the vaccine were investigated in the study group after vaccination.

"In those who received only two doses of CoronaVac, the level of antibody protection decreased to 56 percent after the third month, after the second vaccine. These data prove that applying the third dose of the vaccine was the right decision," reads the statement, citing Daily Sabah September 29.

The study also demonstrated differences in efficacy between continuing with the third dose of Sinovac vaccine or switching to Pfizer for the final dose, even though both provided protection.

"Regardless of preference for the third dose of vaccine, all individuals who received three doses of vaccine achieved protective antibody levels. The Pfizer vaccine applied as a third dose of vaccine showed significant advantages in protection (both in terms of antibody levels and disease status) compared to the third dose of CoronaVac vaccine, ' explained the statement.

It also touches on the subject of a further booster dose or fourth dose of vaccine.

"Those who received the third dose of Pfizer had antibody levels above the maximum titer measured in 95 percent of participants. Thus, it can be considered too early to apply the 4th dose of Pfizer vaccine, after two doses of CoronaVac and one dose of BioNTech vaccine," said that statement.

"The question of when it is possible to administer a 2nd (4th total) dose of Pfizer vaccine can be answered when results are obtained at 3 and 6 months after the 3rd dose," the statement continued.

The statement also noted, "None of the 44 employees who were sick in the period after the 3rd vaccine were hospitalized, and they developed the disease on an outpatient basis".