| Description |
The aim of this study is to understand the short-, medium- and long-term immune response in individuals vaccinated against SARS-CoV-2. For this purpose, the infection and immune status (SARS-CoV-2-specific antibodies) of up to 8,000 individuals in the Munich area will be determined at different time intervals over several months.
For the first round of the study (June 2021 - February 2022), potential study participants from the Munich population were informed about the study at the Impfzentrum Riem, as well as in hospitals, medical and nursing facilities in Munich. Individuals who met the inclusion criteria were offered to test their antibody response against SARS-CoV-2 after COVID-19 vaccination. After detailed information and informed consent of the study participants, the study team performed a finger prick to collect capillary blood on the day of the first vaccination or atstudy recruitment. In addition, essential information such as SARS-CoV-2-specific vaccination and infection status, as well as other possible risk factors were queried in a questionnaire.
For the follow-up study rounds, capillary blood sampling is repeated. For this purpose, packages for blood collection from the fingertip are sent home to the study participants every 2-6 months. Each blood collection testkit will be accompanied by easy-to-understand instructions for blood collection from the fingertip, a questionnaire, and an individual cover letter. The blood sample collection ban be performed by the study participants themselves at home, or, if this is not possible, by members of the study team at the Division of Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine. The blood samples and questionnaires can be sent back to the Division of Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine. |