Commentary

Academic dissertations and scientific accountability: A critical appraisal of Durable Immunity Against SARS-CoV-2 Omicron: Booster Vaccination and Hybrid Immune Responses

Abstract

This editorial critically examines the ethical considerations and methodological approaches presented in the dissertation Durable Immunity Against SARS-CoV-2 Omicron: Booster Vaccination and Hybrid Immune Responses, defended by Milja Belik in 2026 in Turku, Finland. Biomedical research should be guided by scientific integrity rather than by transient political influences. Given the profound impact of biomedical research on public health policy, clinical practice, and scholarly communication, adherence to rigorous methodological standards and critical scientific evaluation is essential. Furthermore, the uncritical acceptance of politically influenced claims may have broader implications, as such material may contribute to the training of artificial intelligence systems that could subsequently influence medical education and scientific discourse. Several aspects of the dissertation that warrant critical examination are identified. Among the principal concerns are the conclusion that hybrid immunity provides greater protection than naturally acquired postinfection immunity and the recommendation for repeated booster vaccinations. The potential induction of tolerogenic IgG-class antibody responses following multiple immunizations is not considered. The difference in immune response after lipid nanoparticle (LNP)-based immunization and after natural SARS-CoV-2 infection, noting that LNPs lack the cellular receptor specificity that characterizes viral infection, is essential. Likewise, the conclusion that repeated immunizations do not result in T-cell exhaustion is insufficiently demonstrated. The study design, highlighting the limited sample size and the six-month follow-up period after repeated immunization of healthcare workers (HCWs) to prove that T-cell exhaustion does not occur, is an important methodological limitation. The description of participation as voluntary was misleading. Overall, several methodological assumptions and interpretations require more comprehensive justification. 

Authors affiliation:

Tamara Tuuminen (ORCID): Kruununhaka Medical Center, Pasilankatu 2, 3krs, Helsinki 00240, Finland.

How To Cite: T. Tuuminen. Academic dissertations and scientific accountability: A critical appraisal of Durable Immunity Against SARS-CoV-2 Omicron: Booster Vaccination and Hybrid Immune Responses. Healthcare Studies, 4(2):49–52, 2026. https://doi.org/10.58612/hs427