Study on COVID-19 vaccines, infection among vulnerable group underway

The Albanese Labor Government is investing in a new study on COVID-19 vaccines and infection to ultimately improve the care and outcomes for vulnerable groups such as children and people with chronic diseases, particularly as future variants emerge.

There is a significant research gap on the impact of COVID-19 infection and vaccination for vulnerable groups – such as people with chronic diseases and children, as the majority of COVID-19 research is conducted with healthy adults.

Despite Australia’s very high COVID-19 vaccination rates, many Australians remain vulnerable to severe disease.

The new PROPHECY research project, led by researchers at Monash University, will evaluate the immune response in children and high-risk populations, including adults with chronic conditions, to COVID-19.

The PROPHECY project will examine the immune responses to both vaccination and previous COVID-19 infections to gauge the antibody and cellular immune response in healthy and vulnerable people. The study will also inform long-term analysis after a COVID-19 infection or vaccination, including breakthrough or re-infection.

The project will advance understanding of the impact on vulnerable populations so appropriate care can be delivered, including tailored treatments and vaccination schedules appropriate to children and high-risk groups.

The study will include adults with chronic conditions, such as chronic kidney and lung disease, Inflammatory Bowel Disease, rheumatic diseases, people living with HIV and organ transplant recipients, among others. The results will inform treatment and care for sufferers of other chronic diseases.

The research, led by Monash University and Professor Menno van Zelm, will receive $6.3 million in the latest round of funding towards COVID-19 treatment access and public health activity research. The research will be conducted at Monash University, Alfred Health, Monash Health, Burnet Institute, and the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute.

Through this round of funding, more than $31.5 million from the Australian Government’s $20 billion Medical Research Future Fund will focus on COVID-19 research.

The COVID-19 pandemic is continuing even as the Omicron winter wave subsides. Research such as this will help medical experts, health practitioners, policymakers and all Australians be better prepared for future variants.

Assistant Minister for Health and Aged Care, Ged Kearney said, “We are investing in crucial research to paint a better picture of how the illness and vaccines affect children and people with chronic health conditions.”

“This research undertaken by Monash University will ultimately help to improve the care that children and adults receive, who are at a higher risk of becoming seriously ill from Covid.

“Australian medical researchers are leading the world when it comes to Covid research. Labor will always invest in our medical research sector to keep this expertise on our shores,” she said.

Content from Hon Ged Kearney MP media page. Note: Content has been edited for style and length.

Ritchelle Drilon

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Ritchelle is a Content Producer for Healthcare Channel, Australia’s premier resource of information for healthcare.

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