How Zika vaccines shape antibodies in people with and without prior flavivirus exposure
Official title: Evaluation of Antibody Responses Elicited by Zika Vaccination in Flavivirus-naïve and -experienced Individuals
Funded at Henry M. Jackson Fdn for the Adv Mil/med · NIH-11323866 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project looks at how Zika vaccination changes antibody responses in people who have or have not had other flavivirus infections like dengue or yellow fever.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Henry M. Jackson Fdn for the Adv Mil/med NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Bethesda, United States) |
| Project start | April 13, 2021 |
| Project end | March 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $547,765 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AI155983-06 |
| Project ID | NIH-11323866 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are adults willing to provide blood samples who are receiving a Zika vaccine and who either do or do not have prior flavivirus infection or vaccination history.
✕Less likely to help
People who will not be vaccinated, who have no risk of Zika exposure, or who cannot safely give blood samples may not receive direct benefit from participation.
What this research studies
If I take part, researchers would collect blood samples before and after I receive a Zika vaccine to see what kinds of antibodies my immune system makes. They will use modern lab techniques, including sequencing B cells, to track which antibodies are produced and how well those antibodies neutralize Zika virus. The study compares people with prior flavivirus exposure (such as dengue, yellow fever, or Japanese encephalitis) to those without prior exposure to see how past infections change the response. Researchers will also look for antibody patterns that could affect protection or risks like cross-reactive responses.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Findings could guide safer, more effective Zika vaccination strategies for people in flavivirus-endemic areas and travelers.
How similar studies have gone: Previous vaccine candidates generated strong neutralizing antibodies and protection in animal studies, but how prior flavivirus exposure shapes human antibody responses remains less clear.
Where this research is happening
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Henry M. Jackson Fdn for the Adv Mil/med
Bethesda, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Krebs, Shelly J — Henry M. Jackson Fdn for the Adv Mil/med
- Study coordinator: Krebs, Shelly J
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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.