(Asian Tech Press) A Hong Kong research has found that people who received BioNTech's jab had “substantially higher” levels of antibodies than those who vaccinated with China-made Sinovac vaccine, according to the South China Morning Post.

The study, commissioned by the Hong Kong government and conducted by the University of Hong Kong (HKU), aims to compare the effectiveness of antibodies produced by different vaccines, so as to make decisions on vaccine selection.

The results of the study were recently released and showed that people who received German-made BioNTech vaccine had substantially higher antibody responses compared to those who got Sinovac's jab.

The presence of antibodies means that the vaccine is working to provide an individual with protection against COVID-19. Benjamin Cowling, an epidemiologist at HKU, noted that while the amount of antibodies does not directly reflect individual's level of protection, there was growing evidence that higher levels generally indicated greater immunity against infection.

The study also suggests that people who have already been vaccinated against COVID-19 with Sinovac's vaccine may need a booster shot, Cowling said.

The Hong Kong government began ordering three vaccines in February of this year, for a total of 22.5 million doses. BioNTech and Sinovac vaccines are currently being administered to Hong Kong residents.

Unlike many other places around the world, the Hong Kong population is less enthusiastic about vaccination, with the South China Morning Post noting that Hong Kong residents have received about 3 million doses of the vaccine, including 1.7 million doses of the BioNTech vaccine and 1.3 million Sinovac jabs.

In light of the results of this study, the study questions the Hong Kong government's plan to shorten the the quarantine period for vaccinated travellers arriving in Hong Kong.

With the pandemic slowing down in Hong Kong, the local government is consideringa separate quarantine waiver for fully vaccinated business travellers from lower-risk places. But experts suggest these travelers should also clear an antibody test. Cowling said he favored the “inclusion of antibody testing to shorten quarantine”.