Vaccine protection and inflammation in older adults with HIV

Vaccine immunity and inflammation in the aging person living with HIV

NIH-funded research Hennepin Healthcare Research Institute · NIH-11131286

This project looks at how age and long-term inflammation change immune responses to the pneumococcal vaccine in adults with and without HIV.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionHennepin Healthcare Research Institute NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Minneapolis, United States)
Project IDNIH-11131286 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

If you join, you'll receive the 20-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV20) and have blood drawn shortly after vaccination and again over two years to measure antibodies, B cells, and CD4 T cell responses. The study will enroll four groups—older adults with HIV (50+), older HIV-negative controls (50+), younger adults with HIV (<50), and younger HIV-negative controls (<50)—to compare how age and HIV status affect vaccine responses. Researchers will also measure markers of chronic inflammation and related conditions, like metabolic or autoimmune issues, to see how these influence immunity. Study staff will follow participants at about 30 days post-vaccination and at longer intervals up to two years to track short- and longer-term protection.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Adults living with HIV (both age groups: 50 and older, and under 50) and HIV-negative adults willing to receive PCV20 and provide blood samples are the ideal candidates.

Not a fit: Children, people who cannot safely receive the PCV20 vaccine, or those unable to attend clinic visits are unlikely to participate or directly benefit from this project.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this work could help tailor vaccine timing, booster recommendations, or anti-inflammatory strategies to improve protection for older people living with HIV.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research shows chronic inflammation can weaken vaccine responses, but few studies have focused on older adults with HIV, so this direct, age-stratified comparison is relatively novel.

Where this research is happening

Minneapolis, United States

Researchers

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 below.
Conditions Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome VirusAcquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome VirusAutoimmune Diseases
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 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.