Two years in the past, we launched the SARS-CoV2- Immunity and Reinfection Analysis Research, often called SIREN, the biggest of its variety globally. The research got down to discover solutions to among the most vital questions on COVID-19.
The SIREN research displays infections in a big group of healthcare employees who present samples for normal PCR and antibody testing. Evaluation of those samples helps the UK to judge the immune response to COVID-19, gives perception into COVID-19 reinfections and has helped us to construct an understanding of the extent of safety provided by vaccines.
The dimensions of the SIREN research has been staggering. In two years, it has carried out over one million PCR assessments, over 400,000 blood assessments and engaged with nearly 45,000 individuals from 135 NHS websites throughout the UK.
The variety of assessments, websites, individuals and nations concerned within the SIREN research. Knowledge right as of June 2022.
We’ve helped reply among the most urgent questions on COVID-19, enabling decision-makers – each nationwide and regionally – to manage the unfold of the illness. Two years into our analysis, listed below are the principle issues now we have learnt:
How efficient is earlier an infection and vaccination in opposition to COVID-19?
In our first 12 months we discovered that earlier an infection with COVID-19 provided excessive safety in opposition to reinfection for a number of months, throughout wild-type and Alpha-variant dominant intervals. We additionally discovered that COVID-19 vaccination was extremely efficient in lowering infections (each symptomatic and asymptomatic) within the speedy months after vaccination.
In our second 12 months we investigated the sturdiness of safety following vaccination and amongst these vaccinated after a earlier an infection, in the course of the Delta-variant dominant interval.
We discovered proof of waning safety six months after two vaccine doses in these with out earlier an infection, and this knowledgeable recommendation on deploying booster doses. We additionally demonstrated the worth of vaccination on these with earlier an infection, with these subsequently vaccinated having safety persistently larger than 90% for an extended time frame in comparison with these with earlier an infection who remained unvaccinated.
When the Omicron variant emerged in December 2021, we discovered safety from both two doses of the vaccine or earlier an infection to wane, whereas a booster dose helped to revive a few of this waning immunity. This analysis helped to tell the widening of the booster vaccination marketing campaign.
We’ve constructed collaborations with immunologists in a number of educational organisations to know why some people get reinfections and breakthrough infections – this can be crucial to understanding future vaccine targets.
How can we maintain the research going?
The SIREN research wouldn’t be attainable with out the efforts and dedication of individuals from across the UK, and we want to say an enormous thanks to those people. These individuals have volunteered to endure fortnightly testing and supply quarterly blood samples all whereas finishing up their day jobs within the NHS below among the most difficult situations the workforce has ever seen.
We might additionally prefer to thank the 135 NHS Belief websites who’ve inspired their employees to take part within the research, together with the all-important laboratory and analysis groups.
Our method to sustaining participant curiosity within the research included newsletters, webinars, video messages and celebration occasions. We additionally recruited a Participant Involvement Panel:
“The SIREN participant panel is comprised of seven SIREN research individuals recruited from a various vary {of professional} backgrounds and areas. As a panel now we have met often to contribute to the goals of the SIREN research, together with offering open and trustworthy suggestions on its analysis goals and outputs, serving to with engagement actions and making certain participant considerations are heard. We’ve valued the chance to contribute to a research which has helped inform key choices being made in regards to the COVID-19 response within the UK.”
SIREN Participant Involvement Panel, June 2022
We’ve additionally constructed robust multidisciplinary collaborations with teachers from main UK analysis establishments, enabling us to mix epidemiological, viral, immunological, genomic and medical experience.
What subsequent?
We’re actually happy that the SIREN research has been funded to proceed participant follow-up in all 4 nations by way of to 31 March 2023. That is testomony to how effectively SIREN is valued by these main the COVID-19 response.
As group testing has decreased, the surveillance position of SIREN in monitoring an infection traits and rising variants has turn into more and more vital to tell the nationwide COVID-19 response. SIREN may have an vital perform all through the approaching Winter whereas the NHS offers with seasonal pressures, with influenza, seasonal viruses and ensuing employees absence.
Going ahead we’ll preserve our dedication to addressing very important analysis questions. What’s the influence of recent variants? What impact does reinfection have put up vaccination? What’s the influence of COVID-19 vaccine booster programmes?
This analysis wouldn’t be attainable with out the efforts and dedication of so many individuals, together with individuals, NHS websites, laboratory groups and extra.
A webpage to share extra details about the SIREN research can now be found here.
