Queensland Health is inviting applications for a community-based study into a COVID-19 vaccine immune response study.
The survey is to be run in collaboration with health and university researchers with the Department saying the aim of the Queensland COVID-19 Safety and Efficacy Statewide Study is to better understand the short, medium and long-term impacts of COVID-19 and COVID-19 vaccines in Queensland.
“This will include understanding how and why people’s immune systems respond differently to COVID-19 vaccines in a Queensland context,” the Department said.
“The study is open to Queensland adults who have received two or more doses of a COVID-19 vaccine, with the last dose received one to three months ago,” it said.
Director of the study, Janet Davies said research of this nature was a normal part of the vaccine lifecycle.
“Studying immune responses as part of the vaccine lifecycle is a very important process and is consistent with similar studies completed on other vaccines,” Professor Davies said.
“Given this has been the largest coordinated vaccination program both in Queensland and across the world, we want to record and evaluate the immune response and vaccine experience of Queenslanders aged 18 years and over,” she said.
The Director said the study would provide a clearer picture about what factors, such as genetic make-up, lifestyle and general health and wellbeing, influenced a person’s vaccine response.
“This information will allow us to better understand how the vaccine may need to evolve to combat new variants and who may need more health care to stay well with COVID-19,” Professor Davies said.
Participation in the study is free and further information can be accessed at this PS News link.
