Why do women have higher levels of antibodies than men after receiving the Covid-19 vaccine?

In a report presented at the 9th Annual Meeting of the San Antonio Vaccine Development Center (USA), a team of experts from the Texas Institute of Biomedical Research (USA) and the University of Verona (Italy) made the following findings: It is hypothesized that due to differences related to sex hormones, women will have higher levels of antibodies after receiving the Covid-19 vaccine than men.

Specifically, higher testosterone levels in men suppressed the immune system, while higher estrogen levels in women amplified immune responses.

In addition, there are some genes that code for immune proteins that are located on the female X chromosome. Since there are 2 X chromosomes, this can help boost immune activity.

Women often have higher levels of antibodies after vaccination than men, including the Covid-19 vaccine or the flu vaccine. (Source: Reuters).

Previous studies have shown that men are more susceptible to bacterial, viral, fungal and parasitic infections than women. Besides, the immune system of men does not react as strongly as women after receiving vaccines such as flu, measles, hepatitis .

A study published on December 23, 2013 by the US National Academy of Sciences found that, after receiving a flu vaccine, men with high testosterone levels had lower levels of protective antibodies than those who did not. Men have lower and lower levels of Testosterone than women. Therefore, in general, women have stronger antibody responses to the Covid-19 vaccine than men.

However, according to a team of experts led by Dr Brandon Michael Henry, regardless of age, women after receiving the Covid-19 vaccine for a period of 6 months had more than 50% reduction in antibody levels compared to the highest level. just after injection.

The team conducted systematic reviews of 32 studies with more than 5,000 people that also showed similar results for age and sex.

Dr. Henry said that an increasing number of elderly people and men are suffering the worst consequences of the Covid-19 pandemic because the immune response against the SARS-CoV-2 virus in these populations is weakened.

However, the team of experts confirmed that the decrease in antibody levels does not mean that the vaccine is not effective. There are different types of antibodies in the vaccinated person's body that play specific roles in preventing breakthrough infections and are still milder if infected than in unvaccinated people.

These antibodies continue to be effective even when antibody levels are lower, which is why vaccination is so important. Because these antibodies will continue to decline over time, booster injections can help maintain high levels of antibodies for more effective protection.