NIH-funded research NIH-funded research

Understanding flu and COVID-19 vaccine responses in adults

Official title: Understanding Influenza and SARS-CoV-2 vaccine responses, in vivo and in vitro

Funded at Stanford University · NIH-11333210 · Data updated 2026-11-12

A Stanford-led effort studies how the flu and COVID-19 vaccines work in adults and how to make them work better for people, especially those with higher risk from underlying health conditions.

More Influenza research and trials

Quick facts

Grant typeNIH-funded research
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionStanford University
NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Stanford, United States)
Project startSeptember 1, 2003
Project endApril 30, 2029
Funding year2026
Award (this year)$2,200,798
NIH project number5U19AI057229-23
Project IDNIH-11333210 on NIH RePORTER

Who could benefit from this research

Could help

Adults 21 years and older, including those with conditions that affect immune responses, who receive or may receive flu or SARS-CoV-2 vaccines.

Less likely to help

Individuals not receiving vaccines or those not participating in any associated studies may not directly benefit.

What this research studies

This project examines how bodies respond to flu and COVID-19 vaccines in adults, using both real-life studies and lab experiments to uncover immune factors that influence protection. Researchers will analyze antibody responses, gene signals, and antibody structures to identify ways to improve vaccine effectiveness. The work combines clinical data with laboratory studies to test new antigen designs and computational methods that predict and enhance responses. The goal is to inform next-generation vaccines that provide stronger and longer-lasting protection for diverse populations.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, the research could lead to more effective vaccines for influenza and SARS-CoV-2, reducing infections and severe illness in adults.

How similar studies have gone: Past studies have shown that understanding antibody structure and glycosylation can improve vaccine design, supporting the potential for meaningful advances here.

Where this research is happening

  • Stanford University
    Stanford, United States
    Active

Researchers

  • Principal investigator: Davis, Mark Morris — Stanford University
  • Study coordinator: Davis, Mark Morris

Related research

Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.
Last reviewed 2026-11-14 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.