Understanding the Yellow Fever Vaccine and Rare Side Effects
Official title: Unraveling yellow fever 17D vaccine attenuation: The role of type I interferon and innate immunity
Funded at Rockefeller University · NIH-11138557 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This work helps us understand how the yellow fever vaccine protects most people and why a small number experience serious reactions.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Rockefeller University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project start | February 15, 2016 |
| Project end | July 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $846,776 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AI124690-09 |
| Project ID | NIH-11138557 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
This foundational research focuses on understanding immune responses in individuals who receive the yellow fever vaccine, especially those who experience adverse reactions.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who have not received the yellow fever vaccine or who are not at risk for yellow fever infection would not directly benefit from this specific research.
What this research studies
The yellow fever vaccine is highly effective, but a few individuals experience severe side effects. This project explores how our body's immune system, particularly a defense mechanism called type I interferon, interacts with the vaccine. Researchers found that stronger interferon responses might be key to the vaccine's safety and effectiveness. They also discovered specific genetic changes and immune factors that might make some people more likely to have severe reactions. By understanding these mechanisms, we hope to make the vaccine even safer and develop ways to prevent or treat these rare side effects.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to safer yellow fever vaccines and better ways to prevent or treat severe side effects.
How similar studies have gone: This project builds on previous findings by the researchers and others, linking type I interferon responses and specific genetic factors to vaccine attenuation and adverse events.
Where this research is happening
-
Rockefeller University
New York, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Rice, Charles M — Rockefeller University
- Study coordinator: Rice, Charles M
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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.