The force with which corona has hit us requires an unconventional approach. From my point of view, an effective vaccination programme should be started as soon as possible.
In the past and under my direction, EUROIMMUN established a very efficient department for research and development, which is, among other things, responsible for infection diagnostics. Our scientists were the first to develop reagents for the diagnosis of various newly emerging infectious diseases (Crimean-Congo, West Nile, Japanese encephalitis, Usutu, dengue, chikungunya, Mayaro, MERS corona, Zika, SARS 1, Ebola), which was often achieved in cooperation with specialists from large research institutes for infectious diseases, such as the Bernhard Nocht Institute in Hamburg and the Robert Koch Institute in Berlin.
EUROIMMUN has also been the first company to obtain approval for ELISAs and a real time PCR for Covid-19 diagnostics in China despite the fact that China handled the forwarding of patient sera very restrictively and unfairly at the beginning. Among the few Western companies, Roche was favoured. However, this company launched its tests well after EUROIMMUN, contrary to what was said by Mr. Spahn and Mr. Söder.
Based on its comprehensive experience in the development of reagents for the diagnostics for new viral diseases, EUROIMMUN was able to develop and produce a recombinant antigen construct in a quick and targeted way, which can be used to reliably detect antibodies against SARS-CoV-2. The construct is based on the S1 domain of the spike protein, which the virus uses to bind to receptors of the target cells.
For me it was clear that immunisation with this protein will have a protective effect against the infection. To save time I started straight away to produce a recombinant antigen on the basis of the EUROIMMUN construct, without waiting for an official approval. I used the resulting antigen, combined with Alum Adjuvant, to vaccinate myself intramuscularly several times.
As expected, I developed specific antibodies. These antibodies were able to neutralise the coronavirus in a virus cell culture*. I AM NOW IMMUNE TO SARS-CoV-2!
As expected, I tolerated the vaccinations well. Over the whole time I felt well and stayed healthy. Antibodies against the nucleocapsid of the virus, which were analysed in parallel, did not develop. Therefore, the serologically detected anti-S1 antibodies cannot result from an undiagnosed past coronavirus infection during the test period.
Vaccination scheme
26. March 2020: 13 micrograms S1
2. April 2020: 13 micrograms S1
14. April 2020: 26 micrograms S1
21. April 2020: 39 micrograms S1
Serological results
27. March 2020:
Anti-SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) IgA ELISA neg., ratio 0.5 (normal value ≤ 0.8)
Anti-SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) IgG ELISA neg., ratio 0.5 (normal value ≤ 0.8)
Neutralization: negative
- April 2020:
Anti-SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) IgA ELISA pos., ratio 1.0 (normal value ≤ 0.8)
Anti-SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) IgG ELISA neg., ratio 0.2 (normal value ≤ 0.8)
Neutralization: 1:40
- April 2020:
Anti-SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) IgA ELISA pos., ratio 3.5 (normal value ≤ 0.8)
Anti-SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) IgG ELISA pos., ratio 6.2 (normal value ≤ 0.8)
Neutralization: 1:40
- April 2020:
Anti-SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) IgA ELISA pos., ratio 10.3 (normal value ≤ 0.8)
Anti-SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) IgG ELISA pos., ratio 12.3 (normal value ≤ 0.8)
Neutralization: 1:160
In my opinion, three quarters of the population in Germany or the USA could be vaccinated with S1 of SARS-CoV-2 within 6 months. Until then, strict quarantine measures could be maintained, but lifted thereafter. Many experts will be against this suggestion, but they should at least test the vaccination among a small number of volunteers to determine whether they also remain free of secondary effects and among persons who are specifically exposed to the virus, such as nurses. I am confident that the persons vaccinated will be protected from the infection, in contrast to the unvaccinated individuals!
100 micrograms are required per person. With one 2000-litre reactor 35 g of the antigen can be produced per day. This would suffice to vaccinate 350,000 people. Using a high-density culture system, five times the amount can be produced.
Lübeck, 8. May 2020
Winfried Stöcker
* Neutralisation test
The decisive (final) result of my immunisation self-test, which makes me feel relieved and very happy, is that due to the immunisation I produced a high concentration of antibodies and that these are able to neutralise the virus! In the diagnostic test, two cell cultures are infected with coronavirus in a high-security laboratory. To one culture, serum from an unvaccinated patient is added. The cells will get infected and finally die. If, however, serum from a vaccinated person is added – even highly diluted – the culture does not show an infection and the virus is neutralised. Patients who have recovered from coronavirus exhibit these neutralising antibodies, which protect them from a reinfection. In my case, the vaccination is able to protect me from a first infection, which means that I cannot get infected by a person carrying the virus.
Neutralization was tested independently in four different prestigious German laboratories. Although the titres differed considerably, positive results were reported by all laboratories at least on 28.4.2020.
