German man vaccinated over 200 times: Study reveals surprising immunity effects

Researchers at Friedrich-Alexander University in Erlangen and Nuremberg studied a 62-year-old German man who vaccinated himself against COVID-19 as many as 217 times, as reported by the BBC. The team aimed to uncover the potential consequences of such extensive vaccination. Their findings were published in the journal "Lancet Infectious Diseases."

"We discovered his case through press reports," said Dr. Kilian Schober of the microbiology department. "Following that, we reached out to him and invited him to Erlangen for the study. He showed great interest," added the researcher. The subject, according to Friedrich-Alexander University, claimed to have received 217 vaccinations for personal reasons, with 134 of these vaccinations officially confirmed by the institution.

There was concern among the scientists that such an excessive number of vaccine doses could suppress the man's immune response. "We observed indications that certain immune cells, known as T lymphocytes, might become worn out, leading to a reduction in the release of pro-inflammatory signaling molecules," Dr. Schober explained.

Contrary to initial concerns, tests revealed that the 62-year-old’s immune system remained fully operational. The analysis further indicated that certain immune cells and antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 were present at much higher levels compared to individuals who had received the standard vaccination dose.

Additionally, the studies found no alteration in the effectiveness of the individual’s immune response to other pathogens. Thus, it appears that receiving more than 70 times the recommended vaccine dose did not impair his immune system.

The absence of any notable side effects from hyper-vaccination "shows that these medicines are highly tolerant," stated Dr. Schober. However, he also noted that this was a single-case study, and vaccinating with three doses is still the preferred method. "There's no evidence to suggest more vaccines are necessary," he stressed.

Source: BBC, fau.eu