Assessing SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccine-induced immunity across immunocompromised patient groups and capacity building to handle new emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants-of-concern

Our goal is: (i) To perform a longitudinal assessment of adaptive immune responses in SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccinated immunocompromised patient groups and healthy controls.

The rational for the studies is that many of the studied patient groups have an increased risk of developing severe COVID-19 upon SARS-CoV-2 infection. Hence, information on vaccine-induced immune status in real-time in the studied patient groups is important.

It serves to provide necessary advice on protective measurements needed to be taken as well as for detemining the need for prophylactic treatment, and upon SARS-CoV-2 infection, need for immediate treatment. (ii) To perform a deep assessment of adaptive immune responses in SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccinated immunocompromised patients and healthy controls.

The rational for the studies is that it is currently unknown to what extent multiple SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccine doses may over time affect qualitative aspects of the adpative immune response generated.

The latter informtion may impact future vaccine design and/or vaccination strategies. (iii) To undertake long-term capacity building for very rapidly being able to assess prevailing immunity in SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccinated patient groups and healthy controls in the event of an emerging new SARS-CoV-2 variant-of-concern outbreak.

The rational being that new emerging variants may escape parts of current vaccine-induced immunity. This may be particular harmful for several of the presently studied patient groups.