How COVID infection and mRNA vaccines shape immunity in younger and older adults
Vaccine and Infection Induced Immunity in the Young and Aged
Tracking immune responses over several years in people who had COVID-19 and/or received Pfizer or Moderna vaccines to learn how immunity changes and lasts.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Emory University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Atlanta, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11178400 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If you join, researchers will follow a large group of people who had COVID-19 and/or got Pfizer or Moderna vaccines, including those who later received boosters or had breakthrough infections. They will collect 3-4 blood samples per year for up to five more years to measure antibodies, B cells, T cells, and innate immune signals. The study compares people who were infected before vaccination, vaccinated then infected, and those with different booster histories to map how immune memory evolves. Visits take place at Emory University (Atlanta) and Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center (Seattle), and participation requires regular clinic visits for blood draws.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection and/or recipients of Pfizer or Moderna vaccines who can provide regular blood samples and attend follow-up visits.
Not a fit: People who cannot attend regular clinic visits or refuse repeat blood draws, and those whose infection/vaccination history doesn't match the cohort, are unlikely to receive direct benefit.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Findings could help shape better vaccine and booster timing and improve protection strategies for younger and older adults.
How similar studies have performed: Other longitudinal COVID-19 cohorts have produced useful insights into immunity, but this very large, multi-year cohort with dense sampling is larger and longer than most prior efforts.
Where this research is happening
Atlanta, United States
- Emory University — Atlanta, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Ahmed, Rafi — Emory University
- Study coordinator: Ahmed, Rafi
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 below.