Objective: The aim of our study is to compare the levels of interferon-gamma and immunoglobulin G antibodies, which are markers of cellular and humoral immunity, that occur after CoronaVac and BioNTech vaccine applications.

Methods: In our study, IFN-γ response was investigated with Anti-SARS-CoV-2 IGRA test and IgG antibody response with SARS-CoV-2 IgG II Quant Reagent test from the sera of 18 volunteers who were administered two doses of CoronaVac vaccine and 22 volunteers who were administered BioNTech vaccine.

Results: While a significant difference was detected in terms of IFN-γ response between the vaccine groups included in our study (p=0.007), no significant difference was detected in terms of IgG antibody response (p>0.05). When the immune responses in both vaccine groups were evaluated quantitatively, IFN-γ and IgG antibody responses were significantly higher in the BioNTech vaccine group than in the CoronaVac vaccine group (p<0.001, p<0.001, respectively).

Conclusion: The main advantage of the interferon gamma release test (IGRA) is that it can be performed without the need for special equipment and in a very short time. Although antibody tests are frequently used for vaccine response in COVID-19, the Anti-SARS-CoV-2 IGRA test, which detects T cell response, can also be used as a reliable method.