The Pfizer vaccine may be less effective in protecting obese people from the coronavirus, the scientists said.
Researchers in Rome found that obese people who received two doses of the vaccine generated a weaker antibody response, according to a report by the prepress server Medrxiv.
The study, which was not peer-reviewed, evaluated the effect of the vaccine on 248 health professionals seven days after the final dose, the Guardian reported.
Researchers at the National Cancer Institute Regina Elena found that those considered obese – which is defined as having a body mass index (BMI) above 30 – produced about half the amount of antibodies compared to people who had a healthy body weight, reported the Guardian.
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It is currently unclear what level of antibodies is needed to neutralize the virus, but experts fear that a reduced antibody response could disrupt inoculation efforts.
The team said their findings highlight important implications for vaccination strategies for obese people.
“Since obesity is an important risk factor for morbidity and mortality for patients with Covid-19, it is mandatory to plan an efficient vaccination program in this subgroup,” wrote the study authors.
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One option that could be considered would be to give them an extra or stronger dose.
“Although more studies are needed, these data may have important implications for the development of vaccination strategies for Covid-19, particularly in obese people. If our data were confirmed by larger studies, giving obese people an extra dose of the vaccine or a dose higher may be an option to be evaluated in this population “, wrote the researchers.
This article originally appeared on NYPost.com.