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

COVID-19 is extra dangerous for people with a lung transplant and people on the waiting list for a lung transplant. For example, an infection can lead to damage or rejection of the transplanted lungs, and it can lead to such deteriorated lung function that people are no longer recommended for transplantation. It is important that a vaccination protects these patient groups against infection as best as possible. There is not yet enough knowledge about whether COVID-19 vaccines are safe for these patient groups and whether they work well. This is investigated in this study. Goal The main goal is to investigate whether the production of antibodies and immune cells against the coronavirus after COVID-19 vaccination in lung transplant recipients is as good as in other people. In addition, research is being conducted into whether people on the waiting list for a lung transplant, and who are vaccinated before they are transplanted, also remain protected after lung transplant. Research design This study follows three patient groups who are vaccinated against COVID-19. This concerns adults who have undergone a lung transplant, adults who are on the waiting list for a lung transplant and adults who have undergone a lung transplant and have had a COVID-19 infection. They have regular blood samples taken before vaccination and up to a year after vaccination to monitor the immunity response. The blood is measured to determine whether immune cells and antibodies are formed after vaccination. It is then examined how long those immune cells and antibodies remain present. Participants in the study complete questionnaires about the complaints they experience after the vaccinations. These people are also checked to see whether they still contract COVID-19. Expected results After this study, it is known how effective COVID-19 vaccination is in preventing infection in these patient groups after 28 days, after six months and after one year. It will also become clear whether the vaccines are safe for these groups.