The COVID PROFILE is a study of immunity in people who have recovered from or been exposed to COVID-19. 

The study aims to understand more about the factors that make a person susceptible to coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2), the virus that causes COVID-19, and study how that infection builds up a person’s immunity to the virus and for how long that protection lasts.

This study will compare people who have experienced coronavirus infection to people who have not.

Why are you conducting a study of people’s immunity to COVID-19?

Our immune system protects us from diseases. When we get infected, our immune system springs into action to start fighting the pathogen so we can overcome and recover from the infection. An effective immune response results in immune memory of the infection. This memory may be short-lived or may last a lifetime. Effective immune memory means that the next time you encounter the same infection, your immune system is ready and armed to make a rapid and large-scale immune assault to block the infection. 

The same happens when people get infected with SARS-Cov-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. In most people, the immune system quickly marshals its defences, the symptoms remain modest and clear up quickly, while the infection is eliminated from their bodies. However, in some patients this defence does not work as effectively, and the patient will develop severe disease.

Importantly, we still do not understand what aspects of a person’s immune response result in mild versus severe infection and, critically, we do not know how long COVID-19 immunity lasts and protects people after they have recovered. 

How will this study help us fight COVID-19?

Understanding why some people get severely ill, while others do not, will help us identify biomarkers to predict which people may be at higher risk and need extra help and care. It will also enable us to find new treatments that can help strengthen patients’ immune systems to help them recover faster.

To return to our pre-COVID-19 lives, we need a vaccine that can induce strong and long-lasting protective immune responses. A better knowledge of how immunity to COVID-19 is acquired and how long it is maintained will be essential to developing effective vaccines and determining how best to use them. 

Who can participate in the study?

An infection with COVID-19 changes the immune system. To understand exactly how, we need to study both people who have had COVID-19, as well as their close contacts, who haven’t had COVID-19. This comparison allows us to better identify how immune responses contribute to COVID-19 symptoms, recovery and future protection.

What samples will you be collecting?

We can best study the immune system by looking at white blood cells and antibodies in your blood. The study will therefore collect blood samples several times during the 12-month study. To find out how the environment in the nose and throat may affect people’s immunity, we will also ask permission to collect nasal swaps and saliva.

Why do you need to study people for 12 months after they recovered?

In most infections, immunity is strongest at the point of recovery. After that, it starts decreasing. In some infections, such as influenza, immunity rapidly wanes, and people can become re-infected as soon as 6-12 months later. In other infections, such as measles, the protection is life-long and people cannot become reinfected. 

By studying how your immune responses changes over the 12 months after you recovered, we can identify if and how such memory is built up and predict how long it may last. 

How will the study be conducted under Stage 4 / 3 restrictions?

As it is important to enrol participants within 1-2 months of their diagnosis, the study remains operational while Melbourne's lockdown restrictions are in place.

During Stage 4 restrictions, people interested in participating will be contacted by phone. If confirmed to participate, a registered nurse will visit the participant at their home. The nurse will use all possible precaution, including wearing a face mask and face shield, to minimise any risk to the participant and other members of the household. 

As restrictions are relaxed, we will offer participants a variety of options for further study visits, including continued home visits, attending a special COVID PROFILE clinic established in Parkville or visits to participating pathology centres to collect blood samples. We will discuss options with each participant and determine what works best for them.

Why are you also studying people who have not had COVID-19?

An infection with COVID-19 does change the immune system. To understand exactly how, we need to also study how the immune system of people who have never had COVID-19 is prepared to fight the infection. This comparison allows us to better identify how immune responses contribute to COVID-19 symptoms, recovery and future protection.

I haven’t had COVID-19, can I still participate? 

For this study, we are aiming to work with people who have recovered from COVID-19 and their close contacts. Therefore, if you have a family member or close contact who has been diagnosed with COVID-19 and has also enrolled in the study, you can also participate in COVID PROFILE. 

If not, you may still be able to help the Institute's research efforts by volunteering for the Volunteer Blood Donor Registry. 

Are other studies investigating immunity to COVID-19?

Many scientists around the world are studying immune responses to COVID-19. Our team is working closely with our scientific and clinical colleagues across Australia and internationally to contribute to these efforts. 

How does this study differ from other studies of COVID-19?

Our study differs from most other studies in the breadth and depth of immune factors. Our team of immunologists and infectious disease researchers are conducting multi-level analyses to allow us to look at how the different parts of the immune system combine to respond to COVID-19, in order to gain a better understanding of the factors that lead to people’s risk of contracting the virus and their protection against reinfection. 

Who is funding COVID PROFILE?

The study is being funded by the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute, the World Health Organisation’s UNITY study and philanthropic supporters.

The study is not currently funded by any other government, private or industry sources.

Who approved the COVID PROFILE study?

COVID PROFILE has been reviewed and approved by the independent Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC) of the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute, which is accredited to perform ethical review the Institute’s research.

COVID PROFILE conforms to the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) Statement on Ethical Conduct in Human Research.

Are there any risks associated with participation in the study?

The study does not include any treatment or intervention. We are just following people who have recovered from COVID-19 by collecting and analysing blood samples and nasal swabs, using standard procedures. These collections will be conducted by trained nurses and will involve only mild discomfort for the participant. 

How will you ensure the privacy of participants?

Once samples have been collected, these will be coded with a number that cannot be traced to individual participants by the research team. Only the nurse collecting the samples, the project manager and the principal investigators will have access to your personal details. Personal information will be stored in a password protected database.

Can all people who have be diagnosed with COVID-19 participate in the study?

We will prioritise participation from people who were diagnosed with COVID-19 during July and August 2020, in the Greater Melbourne area. 

However, if you were diagnosed earlier or live in regional Victoria, please provide your preferred contact details. We will contact you and may invite you to participate at a later stage.

How can I participate in the study?

Recovered Victorian COVID-19 patients, and their close contacts, who wish to participate in the study can check their eligibility and register their details here. Once you have registered, by providing your contact details, our study team will contact you to further explain the study, discuss your possible participation and answer any questions you may have.

This study is not open to participants outside Victoria.

Can I have details of the study protocols?

We are unable to share the research protocol to ensure research integrity is maintained and to protect participants. However, prior to your consent for participation we will provide you with detailed written information about the study, its objectives and procedures.

Next steps

If you are interested in participating in the COVID PROFILE study please complete our eligibility survey:

Further information

• About the COVID PROFILE study
• Find out more about the Institute’s COVID-19 response