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Correlates of COVID-19 vaccine-induced protection and host factors that affect immune response

  • Funded by Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR)
  • Total publications:0 publications

Grant number: 459285

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Key facts

  • Disease

    COVID-19

  • start year

    2021

  • Known Financial Commitments (USD)

    $393,525.08

  • Funder

    Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR)

  • Principal Investigator

    Kirsh Victoria, Awadalla Philip

  • Research Location

    Canada

  • Lead Research Institution

    Ontario Institute for Cancer Research (Toronto, Ontario)

  • Research Priority Alignment

    N/A

  • Research Category

    Clinical characterisation and management

  • Research Subcategory

    Prognostic factors for disease severity

  • Special Interest Tags

    N/A

  • Study Type

    Clinical

  • Clinical Trial Details

    Not applicable

  • Broad Policy Alignment

    Pending

  • Age Group

    Unspecified

  • Vulnerable Population

    Unspecified

  • Occupations of Interest

    Unspecified

Abstract

Background: Canada is seeing a COVID-19 resurgence as SARS-CoV-2 variants continue to emerge globally and herd immunity remains elusive. It is unclear whether there will be a decline in immune protection over time, or with the emergence of viral variants. Methods: From December 2020 to June 2021, invitations went out to select Ontario Health Study participants requesting that they complete an online questionnaire and submit dried blood spot samples. The questionnaire includes details around vaccination, previous COVID-19 infection, and underlying medical conditions and medications taken. The study included 10,569 participants (age 21 to 93), with 62% women. Collection of second dried blood spot samples is underway. Dried blood spot samples will be tested for antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 (anti-spike IgG, anti-receptor binding domain of spike (RBD) IgG, and anti-nucleocapsid (N) IgG) and will undergo DNA extraction and genotyping. Data will be linked to COVID-19 lab results and hospitalization data, including ICU admission and death. Objectives: Measured levels of vaccine-induced immune markers (antibody levels) will be related to vaccine effectiveness by comparing incidence of SARS-CoV-2 infection, hospitalization, and mortality in a population of vaccinated and unvaccinated participants. We will also assess variation in immune response to vaccination by viral variant, vaccine factors (such as type, product, number of doses, interval between doses, time since vaccination) and intrinsic host factors (such as age, sex, genetics, and comorbidities). Implications: Identifying immune correlates of protection will be important because they can be used as surrogate endpoints in assessing vaccine efficacy, and the durability of protection over time will provide insights into the necessity for booster vaccination. Also, identification of host and vaccine factors that affect immunity will allow for tailored recommendations regarding vaccine distribution.