MU Researchers study how long COVID-19 vaccine provides protection
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
Researchers at the University of Missouri School of Medicine are gearing up to study how long COVID-19 vaccines can provide protection and how vaccination immunity is different from natural infection immunity.
The University hopes to enroll 500 people who have either received a COVID-19 vaccine or who plan to become vaccinated soon. Dr. Mark Daniels, associate professor of surgery and molecular microbiology and immunology, hopes to analyze the presence of antibodies in the blood. Daniels spoke with ABC 17 News Thursday about the study.
"Really, in a nutshell, we want to know how does protection provided by these vaccines last? Is there any difference between the different vaccines that are out there?" Daniels said. "In patients that have been infected with COVID-19 we see on average, 30% of our patients lose their antibodies anywhere from 90 days to 6 to 8 months."
Daniels said researchers also want to know more about how well the vaccines protect against different variants.
Daniels said 250 have already signed up to assist with the study, as of Thursday. Participants agree to donate blood a few times, depending on where the participant is at in the vaccination process.
Participants will receive a gift card as compensation for their assistance. Those interested can email mucovid19vaccinestudy@missouri.edu
