Exploring how transgender women respond to seasonal COVID-19 vaccines
Official title: Understanding transgender women's immune and behavioral responses to seasonal COVID-19 vaccines to improve their uptake
Funded at New York Blood Center · NIH-11053893 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how seasonal COVID-19 vaccines affect the immune system and behavior of transgender women who are on hormone therapy, to better understand their unique needs and improve vaccination experiences for them.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | New York Blood Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project start | December 16, 2024 |
| Project end | March 10, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $267,121 |
| NIH project number | 1R21AI183544-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11053893 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are adult transgender women who are undergoing gender-affirming hormone therapy.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not transgender women or those who have not undergone hormone therapy may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the immune and behavioral responses of transgender women to seasonal COVID-19 vaccines, focusing on how gender-affirming hormone therapy may influence these responses. By examining the effects of sex hormones on immunity, the study aims to understand the unique challenges and needs of transgender women regarding vaccination. Participants will be adult transgender women who have undergone hormone therapy, allowing researchers to explore the relationship between hormone levels and vaccine efficacy. The findings could help improve vaccine uptake and health outcomes in this population.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to better vaccination strategies and improved health outcomes for transgender women.
How similar studies have gone: While there is limited research specifically on COVID-19 vaccines and transgender women, studies on sex differences in immunity suggest that understanding these dynamics could lead to significant advancements in vaccine response.
Where this research is happening
-
New York Blood Center
New York, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Lustigman, Sara — New York Blood Center
- Study coordinator: Lustigman, Sara
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.