Booster battle: which COVID-19 vaccine boosts immunity best?
NCT ID NCT05057169
First seen Jun 26, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This study tested whether a third dose of either the CoronaVac or Comirnaty vaccine boosts immunity better in adults who had two prior doses at least six months earlier. Researchers measured antibody levels in 451 participants from Hong Kong 28 days after the booster. The goal was to see which booster triggers a stronger immune response.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- COVID-19 booster vaccines (CoronaVac or Comirnaty)
- What this could lead to
- If successful, this could help determine which booster vaccine provides stronger immune protection after initial vaccination.
- What could go wrong
- This is a completed Phase 4 trial with 451 participants, so results are limited to antibody levels and may not reflect real-world protection against new variants.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
-
Phase 4
Runs after approval, following long-term safety and how well the treatment works in everyday use.
- Participants
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451 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
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Nov 2021
- Finished
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Dec 2025
- Lead sponsor
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Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
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18 years and older
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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Accepted
You do not need to have the condition being studied to take part.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: * Aged 18 years or older at enrolment. * Have received two doses of BNT162b2 OR two doses of CoronaVac, with the most recent dose at least six months prior to enrolment. * Currently resident and planning to remain resident in Hong Kong during the duration of the study, i.e. for 12 months after enrolment. * Agreement to refrain from blood donation during the course of the study. * Willing to provide blood samples for all the required time points. * The individual or their caregiver have a home phone or cellular or mobile phone for communications purpose. * Capable of providing informed consent. Exclusion Criteria: * A history of laboratory-confirmed or clinically confirmed COVID-19 infection prior to enrolment. * Have previously already received one or two doses of any COVID-19 vaccines except CoronaVac or BNT162b2, for example but not limited to BBIBP-CorV (inactivated vaccine, Sinopharm), AZD1222 (adenovirus vector-based vaccine, Oxford/AstraZeneca), Sputnik V (adenovirus vector-based vaccine, Gamaleya Research Institute) and Ad26.COV2.S (adenovirus vector-based vaccine, Johnson \& Johnson). * Individuals who report any medical condition, or as determined by a clinician, not suitable to receive mRNA or inactivated COVID-19 vaccines, including but not limited to allergies to the active substance or other ingredients of the vaccine. * Currently with diagnosed medical conditions related to their immune system. * Use of medication that impairs immune system in the last 6 months, except topical steroids or short-term oral steroids (course lasting ≤ 14 days). * Administration of immunoglobulins and/or any blood products within 90 days preceding the planned administration of the study vaccines. * Pregnancy, lactation or intention to become pregnant in the coming 3 months.
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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The University of Hong Kong
Hong Kong, 00000, Hong Kong
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