A recent seroepidemiological study conducted in Morocco’s Casablanca-Settat region has highlighted the high effectiveness of the COVID-19 vaccines administered in the country. Published in Scientific Reports on April 3, the study involved 10,669 participants and found that over 96% of vaccinated individuals developed antibodies against SARS-CoV-2, demonstrating a strong immune response.
Vaccine Effectiveness by Brand
The study, carried out from February to June 2022, included vaccines from Sinopharm, AstraZeneca, Pfizer-BioNTech, and Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen. Results showed antibody levels of 96% for Sinopharm, 97% for AstraZeneca, 98.5% for Pfizer-BioNTech, and 98% for Johnson & Johnson. The Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine had the highest antibody response and levels among all four.
Factors Influencing Immune Response
The immune response varied by factors such as age, gender, previous COVID-19 infections, and chronic diseases. Older participants, women, and those with chronic conditions showed stronger immune responses, especially among AstraZeneca and Sinopharm vaccine groups. However, Pfizer-BioNTech recipients did not show such variations.
Importance of Serological Studies
The study’s authors stress the importance of ongoing serological studies to monitor vaccine efficacy, particularly with emerging viral variants and factors specific to Morocco’s population. They also emphasize the role of these studies in supporting national vaccination efforts and future health emergencies.
Vaccination Coverage
As of April 2023, Morocco has achieved a vaccination coverage rate of 65%, with over 23 million individuals having received their second dose, and 6.88 million receiving the third dose. Morocco is recognized as having the highest vaccination coverage in Africa.
source: morocco world news