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American University of Beirut

Long-Lasting Immunity Induced by Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine, Study Shows

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Scientists at the American University of Beirut have conducted a study on the longitudinal T and B cell recall responses following vaccination with the Pfizer-BioNTech mRNA vaccine BNT162b2. The research, published in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, found that the vaccine induces long-lasting neutralizing immunoglobulins and antigen-specific memory CD4 T cells that can promote a protective Th1 response. The study's key findings provide new insights into the immune response generated by the vaccine and its potential to protect against SARS-CoV-2 infection for up to 9 months after immunization.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Pfizer-BioNTech mRNA vaccine BNT162b2 induces the development of long-lasting neutralizing immunoglobulins, as well as antigen-specific memory CD4 T cells that proliferate upon reactivation.
  • These memory CD4 T cells promote a protective Th1 response and induce IgG/IgA class switching in antigen-specific memory B cells.
  • The vaccine also induces antigen-specific memory CD8 T cells that proliferate upon reactivation and upregulate granzyme and perforin to eliminate infected cells.
  • The immunoglobulins induced by the vaccine can neutralize SARS-CoV-2 for up to 9 months after immunization.
  • The study included 12 participants who received the Pfizer-BioNTech mRNA vaccine and underwent blood sampling at various time points post-vaccination.
  • The research provides valuable insights into the immune response generated by the Pfizer-BioNTech mRNA vaccine and its potential to protect against SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Statistics:

  • The study included 12 participants who received the Pfizer-BioNTech mRNA vaccine.
  • The vaccine induced long-lasting neutralizing immunoglobulins that were detectable for up to 9 months after immunization.
  • The study showed that antigen-specific memory CD4 T cells proliferate upon reactivation and promote a protective Th1 response.
  • The vaccine induced antigen-specific memory CD8 T cells that upregulate granzyme and perforin to eliminate infected cells.
  • The study provides new insights into the immune response generated by the Pfizer-BioNTech mRNA vaccine and its potential to protect against SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Sources:

  • NewsRx. Findings from American University of Beirut Broaden Understanding of COVID-19 (Longitudinal T and B cell recall responses following vaccination with the Pfizer-BioNTech mRNA vaccine BNT162b2). Medical Letter on the CDC & FDA. November 2, 2025; p 29.
  • Longitudinal T and B cell recall responses following vaccination with the Pfizer-BioNTech mRNA vaccine BNT162b2. Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, 2025.

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