Nor-vaC
Immunological response to COVID-19 vaccine in patients on immunosuppressive treatment
Project Manager
PhD fellow
ABOUT THE PROJECT
The purpose of this project is to evaluate the immunological response to COVID-19 vaccines in people who are on immunosuppressive medications due to chronic gastrointestinal or joint disease. The Nor-vaC study aims to clarify whether the standard vaccination program against Covid-19 provides sufficient protection in people who are using immunosuppressive medications. It is also of great importance to know how long the vaccine protects, and whether people using immunosuppressive medications need more vaccine doses after a while, to maintain good protection against the virus.
In Norway, there are at least 34,000 people in this category. The purpose of vaccinating against COVID-19 is to teach the immune system to recognize this virus. If the immune system is suppressed by medication, it may mean that the response to the vaccine will be weak. We know from previous studies that some immunosuppressive medications can weaken the effect of the influenza vaccine, and thus reduce the protection of the vaccine. We do not know whether people who use such medication have weaker or shorter protection against COVID-19 after vaccination than the normal population. We also do not know whether certain types of immunosuppressive medications weaken the vaccine response more than other types of immunosuppressive medications can do. However, it is of great importance to determine whether vaccines against SARS-CoV2 provide a strong and lasting immune response. If the immune response after vaccination is weakened in those who use immunosuppressive medications, it may mean that this group of people need more vaccine doses. It may also mean that the important immunosuppressive medication they are on needs to be adjusted so that the vaccine can have a better effect.
The Nor-vaC study is a collaborative project between Diakonhjemmet Hospital, the Norwegian Institute of Public Health (FHI), the Department of Immunology, Oslo University Hospital (OUS), and Akershus University Hospital (AHUS). The results of the study will help FHI to formulate the best possible vaccine advice for people using immunosuppressive medications.
The research project is expected to have great significance for people with rheumatic diseases and diseases of the intestine and liver. The results could form the basis for vaccine recommendations and treatment recommendations for this patient group during the current COVID-19 pandemic. The study may also have consequences for treatment advice and advice on vaccines beyond the ongoing pandemic. The research question of the strength and duration of COVID vaccine protection is of great interest for the patient group also globally, because we currently have very little knowledge.
WHO CAN JOIN?
Patients from the Rheumatology Department at Diakonhjemmet Hospital and from the Gastroenterology Department at AHUS on immunosuppressive treatment have been asked to participate.
Recruitment of participants in the study has been completed.
WHAT DOES THE STUDY INVOLVE?
Participants in the study will have a blood sample taken before and after each dose of the Covid-19 vaccine. Some of the participants will have extended blood tests to assess how well their immune system has responded to the vaccine. During the first part of the study period, blood samples were taken for antibody measurements. Now, only a small number of participants will be tested, and these samples will be taken with such extended analyses of the immune response in mind. The study plans to monitor the vaccine response in participants for up to 5 years.
Vaccines are administered locally in the district/municipality where the patient lives.