COVID-19 vaccines work more effectively on women than men, a new Australian Catholic University (ACU) study has found.

Student researcher Kate Petersen, 22, from ACU’s School of Behavioural and Health Sciences said all the study’s participants produced an immune response to their COVID-19 vaccination, regardless of whether a Pfizer, AstraZeneca, Moderna or Novavax dose has been administered.

“What was fascinating, however, was that we found that women produced more antibodies than men,” she said.

“We wanted to find out if the vaccines worked so it was beneficial to learn that everybody had a response.

“The difference in the antibody responses between men and women raises the question of the potential need for a greater push for men to have boosters.”

The study analysed blood samples taken from 40 participants older than 18 who had previously received a vaccine against COVID-19. It also examined relevant medical history (age, gender, health status and regular medications) likely to impact the immune response following the vaccination.

The honours project, Human Immunoglobulin G Antibody Responses to COVID-19 Vaccination, was among the first to examine antibody responses since the clinical trials conducted by each of the pharmaceutical companies.

Bachelor of Biomedical Science Honours student, Ms Petersen was part of a team that included supervisor Dr Roger Lord, a researcher with extensive immunology and vaccine development experience, and senior lecturer Dr Francesca Fernandez.

The mean antibody level was 320 units/mL for women and 255 units/mL for men. On average, women produced 65 units/mL more antibodies than men.

The study was Ms Petersen’s first opportunity to contribute “hands on” to a research project.

“I’d never considered doing anything like this until the opportunity came up last year,” she said.

“I couldn’t imagine sitting in a lab by myself so the chance to combine the diagnostic skills with human interaction is something I find really interesting and stimulating.”

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