Understanding how young children's immune systems respond to COVID-19 vaccination
Official title: Determinants of Early Childhood Immune Responses to SARS-CoV-2 Vaccination
Funded at University of California, San Francisco · NIH-10932147 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how kids aged 6 months to 4 years respond to COVID-19 vaccines, especially comparing those who have had COVID before with those who haven't, to find the best ways to protect them from the virus.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California, San Francisco NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (San Francisco, United States) |
| Project start | September 20, 2023 |
| Project end | June 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $667,362 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HD112339-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10932147 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are children aged 6 months to 4 years who are receiving their COVID-19 vaccinations.
✕Less likely to help
Patients outside the age range of 6 months to 4 years or those who have already completed their vaccination series may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how young children's immune systems, particularly those aged 6 months to 4 years, respond to COVID-19 vaccinations. It aims to understand the differences in immune responses between children who have previously been infected with SARS-CoV-2 and those who have not. By using advanced techniques like high-dimensional antibody profiling and flow cytometry, the study will characterize the immune responses to the vaccine, which could help optimize vaccination strategies for this age group. The goal is to determine the best timing and approach for vaccination to ensure effective and long-lasting protection against COVID-19.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved vaccination strategies that provide better protection for young children against COVID-19.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown promising results in understanding immune responses to vaccines in children, making this approach both relevant and necessary.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California, San Francisco
San Francisco, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Prahl, Mary — University of California, San Francisco
- Study coordinator: Prahl, Mary
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
How different COVID-19 vaccines shape immune responses
This project compares immune reactions after mRNA and adenoviral COVID-19 vaccines to learn how long protection lasts and why some people get breakthrough infections or side effects.
-
How our immune system keeps a memory of vaccines and infections over time
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-
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Researchers want to see if immune cells that stay in the lungs after COVID-19 infection or vaccination help protect people from future severe lung illness.
-
COVID-19 vaccine responses in kidney transplant patients taking mycophenolate
This project looks at how the anti-rejection drug mycophenolate affects COVID-19 vaccine protection in people with kidney transplants.
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Understanding how SARS-CoV-2 vaccines affect immune responses
This study is looking at how well the COVID-19 vaccine and natural infection help your immune system fight the virus, by checking the types of antibodies in your blood and how long they last, so we can better understand protection against COVID-19.
-
Investigating immune responses to COVID-19 vaccination in children with multiple sclerosis on immunotherapy
This study is looking at how different treatments for multiple sclerosis affect how well kids respond to COVID-19 vaccines, so we can better understand how to protect them.
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.