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Development of antibodies after the Booster shot. Can you provide updated information on this topic?

This content was current as of the date it was released. In science and medicine, information is constantly changing and may become out-of-date as new data emerge.

Ask the Doctor Question:

We have read and heard that CLL patients with COVID have a tendency to develop far fewer antibodies than desired but have been unable to find any research or data discussing the development of antibodies after the Booster shot. Can you provide updated information on this topic?

Answer: CLL Society strongly supports the booster recommendations and refers you to our COVID-19 Plan: Checklists for Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL): Preparing for Pre and Post COVID-19 Exposure.

We have touched upon this issue a little on our website. Some articles that might be helpful include:

  1. https://cllsociety.org/2021/07/lls-covid-19-vaccine-trial-antibody-response-to-sars-cov-2-vaccines-in-patients-with-hematologic-malignancies/
  2. https://cllsociety.org/2021/08/covid-19-vaccine-third-booster-dose-q-and-a/

Also, this graphic might be helpful which shows that in one study performed by LLS, all patients who did make ANY antibodies at all in response to the two previous COVID-19 vaccines did have an increase in their antibody levels after the booster. But if your antibody levels were zero after the first two COVID-19 vaccine doses, while 55% did finally have an antibody response to the third dose, there were still a good portion in that same group that still did not produce antibodies.