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Abstract

Background

The first Corona Monitoring Nationwide (RKI-SOEP) study (October 2020−February 2021) found a low pre-vaccine SARS-CoV-2 antibody seroprevalence (2.1%) in the German adult population (≥ 18 years).

Aim

The objective of this second RKI-SOEP (RKI-SOEP-2) study in November 2021−March 2022 was to estimate the prevalence of SARS-CoV-2-specific anti-spike and/or anti-nucleocapsid (anti-N) IgG antibodies (combined seroprevalence), past infection based on infection-induced seroprevalence (anti-N), and basic immunisation (at least two antigen contacts through vaccination or infection) in individuals aged ≥ 14 years. We also aimed to estimate under-reporting of infections.

Methods

Dried blood-spot specimens from a population-based sample embedded in a dynamic cohort, the Socio-Economic Panel (SOEP), were serologically analysed. Resulting serological data and self-reports via a questionnaire from the same individuals were used to estimate prevalences.

Results

Combined seroprevalence was 90.7% (95% CI: 89.7%–91.6%) without correction and 94.6% (95% CI: 93.6%–95.7%) with correction for sensitivity/specificity and antibody waning. While one in nine individuals had been infected (11.3%; 95% CI: 9.1%–13.5%), nine in 10 had a basic immunisation (90%; 95% CI: 88.9–90.9%), primarily due to vaccination. Population-weighted estimates differed by age, region, and socioeconomic deprivation. The under-reporting factor was estimated as 1.55 (95% CI: 1.3–1.8).

Conclusions

When the SARS-CoV-2-Omicron wave was beginning, most people had been vaccinated, infected, or both. Large-scale vaccination, but not a high infection rate, was able to fill the immunity gap, especially in ≥ 65 year-olds who are known to be at higher risk of severe COVID-19. Our data point towards the need for targeted socioeconomically, demographically and regionally stratified mitigation strategies, including measures to enhance vaccine uptake.

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2025-01-09
2025-01-15
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Nationwide population-based infection- and vaccine-induced SARS-CoV-2 antibody seroprevalence in Germany in autumn/winter 2021/2022
<p class="citation"> <span>Citation style for this article:</span> <span class="meta-value authors"> <a href="/search?value1=Elisabetta+Mercuri&option1=author&noRedirect=true" class="nonDisambigAuthorLink">Mercuri Elisabetta</a>, <a href="/search?value1=Lorenz+Schmid&option1=author&noRedirect=true" class="nonDisambigAuthorLink">Schmid Lorenz</a>, <a href="/search?value1=Christina+Poethko-M%C3%BCller&option1=author&noRedirect=true" class="nonDisambigAuthorLink">Poethko-Müller Christina</a>, <a href="/search?value1=Martin+Schlaud&option1=author&noRedirect=true" class="nonDisambigAuthorLink">Schlaud Martin</a>, <a href="/search?value1=C%C3%A2n%C3%A2+Ku%C3%9Fmaul&option1=author&noRedirect=true" class="nonDisambigAuthorLink">Kußmaul Cânâ</a>, <a href="/search?value1=Ana+Ordonez-Cruickshank&option1=author&noRedirect=true" class="nonDisambigAuthorLink">Ordonez-Cruickshank Ana</a>, <a href="/search?value1=Sebastian+Haller&option1=author&noRedirect=true" class="nonDisambigAuthorLink">Haller Sebastian</a>, <a href="/search?value1=Ute+Rexroth&option1=author&noRedirect=true" class="nonDisambigAuthorLink">Rexroth Ute</a>, <a href="/search?value1=Osamah+Hamouda&option1=author&noRedirect=true" class="nonDisambigAuthorLink">Hamouda Osamah</a>, <a href="/search?value1=Lars+Schaade&option1=author&noRedirect=true" class="nonDisambigAuthorLink">Schaade Lars</a>, <a href="/search?value1=Lothar+H+Wieler&option1=author&noRedirect=true" class="nonDisambigAuthorLink">Wieler Lothar H</a>, <a href="/search?value1=Antje+G%C3%B6%C3%9Fwald&option1=author&noRedirect=true" class="nonDisambigAuthorLink">Gößwald Antje</a>, <a href="/search?value1=Angelika++Schaffrath+Rosario&option1=author&noRedirect=true" class="nonDisambigAuthorLink">Schaffrath Rosario Angelika </a>, <a href="/search?value1=on+behalf+of+the+RKI-SOEP-2+Study+Group&option1=author&noRedirect=true" class="nonDisambigAuthorLink">on behalf of the RKI-SOEP-2 Study Group</a></span>. Nationwide population-based infection- and vaccine-induced SARS-CoV-2 antibody seroprevalence in Germany in autumn/winter 2021/2022. <a href="/content/ecdc">Euro Surveill.</a> 2025;30(1):pii=2400037. <a href="https://doi.org/10.2807/1560-7917.ES.2025.30.1.2400037" title="doi link" target="_blank">https://doi.org/10.2807/1560-7917.ES.2025.30.1.2400037</a> <span class="ES_Article_citation"> <span class="generated">Received</span>: 16 Jan 2024;&nbsp;&nbsp; <span class="generated">Accepted</span>: 18 Aug 2024 </span> </p>
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