Do patients who use immunosuppressive medications need more corona vaccines than others? On Wednesday, December 9, 2026, Hilde Ørbo will defend her doctoral thesis in the Old Hall, University of Oslo.
Ørbo has investigated how corona vaccines work in patients who use immunosuppressive medications.
Through three studies, she has shown that repeated vaccine doses strengthen the immune system, and that the risk of severe COVID-19 was low among vaccinated patients. At the same time, the research shows that an additional vaccine dose does not necessarily provide a better immune response in patients who have already been vaccinated several times and have experienced COVID-19.
The findings may contribute to more individually tailored vaccine advice for patients using immunosuppressive medications.
Time and place
- Date: Wednesday, December 9, 2026
- Trial lecture: 10:15 a.m.
- Dissertation: 1:15 p.m.
- Location: Old Banquet Hall, Domus Academica, University of Oslo
Everyone is welcome to the doctoral exam!
Ørbo is a specialist at Diakonhjemmet Hospital and has completed his doctoral work at REMEDY, in collaboration with the University of Oslo and other research institutions.
Main supervisor: Guro Løvik Goll
Co-supervisors: Silje Watterdal Syversen, Kristin Kaasen Jørgensen and Espen A. Haavardsholm
Publications in doctoral work
Article 1 – The Lancet Rheumatology
Article 2 – RMD Open
Article 3 – The Lancet Regional Health – Europe
