Investigating the immune response to COVID-19 VAccination in Lung Transplantation patients (COVALENT study)

Lung transplantation patients are immunocompromised due to antirejection therapy. The effectivity of the COVID-19 vaccination in this high-risk patient group is completely unknown. Objective: To investigate the humoral and cellular immune response, and the development of immunological memory to the COVID-19 vaccination in lung transplantation patients. To clarify firstly if immunity develops in these patients and secondly, if the immune response lasts for 1 year. This is an observational study of the development of humoral and cellular immune responses following COVID-19 vaccination. Baseline samples are taken from participants prior to first vaccination, and these participants are sampled at regular intervals, until a year after vaccination. A group of patients who are on the lung transplant waiting list are immunized and followed at regular intervals. Following transplantation, the observation time is extended to six months after transplantation. Patient characteristics, potential side effects of vaccination, lung function and degree of immunosuppression will be collected.