Frequently asked questions and answers (FAQ): Information for participants

I would like to take part in the KoCo19 study.

Unfortunately, the recruitment phase of our study is closed, so participation is no longer possible.

I am a study participant and have not yet received my latest results.

We try to communicate your results as quickly as possible for each follow-up examination. However, sometimes analyses have to be carried out several times in order to obtain a clear result. In such cases, we would ask you to be patient.

When will the next round of the KoCo19 study take place?

If a new study round is planned for the KoCo19 study, we will contact you by e-mail in advance.

No further sampling or surveys are planned as part of the accompanying KoCo vaccination study(www.kocoimpf.de). As a participant in the co-vaccination study, you have received further information from us by e-mail (11.04.2023).

However, we would like to take this opportunity to draw your attention to a follow-up study as part of our international cooperation with the ORCHESTRA consortium. This is the European research network VACCELERATE, which aims to improve the ability of all stakeholders to act in future pandemics and thus make a decisive contribution to pandemic management.

If you are interested in participating in this or other studies, you can register at http://lts.impfstudien-corona.de/deutsch/ and create a personal profile. If future studies match your individual profile, you will be contacted by e-mail and can decide whether you would like to contact the study organizers and participate in the study after receiving detailed preliminary information. Please note that we do not conduct the VACCELERATE studies ourselves and therefore cannot answer any questions about them.

Should other studies be conducted at the Tropical Institute in the future, we would be happy to contact you. Of course, only if you wish to do so. Otherwise, please let us know by 30.04.2023 at the e-mail address already known to you KoCo19@med.uni-muenchen.de that you no longer wish to be contacted, and we will delete your data.

What are the overall results of the study?

The currently available results can be found under the link below. The data provided and the antibody measurement results are currently undergoing further statistical analysis. As soon as we have completed these analyses, we will summarize the results and publish them there as well.

Why are different numbers given for the anti-spike antibody value and not for the anti-nucleocapsid antibody value? Are the values in brackets minimum or maximum values?

The anti-spike antibody value measured and converted by us is very likely to be in a range that corresponds to the values given in brackets (95% confidence interval). Although we attach great importance to the accuracy of our results, deviations may occur depending on the frequency of measurement and the analysis procedure. A reported value of 871.42 (784.66 - 1202.36) therefore indicates that we have measured an S antibody value of 871.42 in your blood sample, but your value is most likely in the range of 784.66 to 1202.36.

How is it determined whether an antibody value is positive or negative?

Whether an antibody count is classified as positive or negative depends on a threshold value. This threshold value is based on a mathematical calculation by the manufacturer. A correlation between capillary blood tests (blood samples from the fingertip) and blood plasma tests (blood samples from the vein) was used for this purpose.

Why can't I compare my antibody values with those of other laboratories?

We have found that the analysis methods of the various manufacturers sometimes differ significantly in their results. We have therefore decided to make comparisons only within a defined analysis method and therefore not to specify a standardized unit (e.g. BAU/mL).

What are antibody standard values after a vaccination? Does the graph only show the antibody values after an infection?

The immune response after a vaccination is very individual. There are currently no standard values for antibody production after successful basic immunization. However, the level of antibodies after vaccination is certainly relevant, as higher antibody levels are statistically more likely to protect against severe clinical courses of an infection with SARS-CoV-2. Individually, however, such a protective statement is not possible with sufficient certainty. In other words, you should not make your individual vaccination and infection protection decisions on the basis of antibody findings.

When exactly are the levels highest after vaccination?

Antibody levels develop individually, but are highest a few days after a booster vaccination. According to current knowledge, it is assumed that the antibodies formed after an infection are highest after 10-35 days and higher antibody levels can be expected in the context of hybrid immunity (vaccination + infection).

In your experience, after how long does it make sense to determine the status of the anti-spike antibodies again?

Apart from a few special cases (e.g. congenital immunodeficiency, some immunosuppressive therapies), the Standing Committee on Vaccination (STIKO) does not currently recommend routine SARS-CoV-2 antibody tests.

I am a participant in the CoCo19 study and am considering getting vaccinated again. Should I make this decision based on my antibody levels? At what level is a booster vaccination recommended?

Apart from a few special cases, you should not base your individual vaccination and infection protection decisions on antibody results. We refer here to the corresponding recommendations of the Standing Committee on Vaccination (STIKO).

What is meant by the fact that the effect of the vaccination cannot be detected separately in the case of a positive anti-nucleocapsid antibody result?

While anti-nucleocapsid antibodies are formed after an infection, anti-spike antibodies are formed both after an infection and after a successful vaccination. For this reason, the presence of anti-nucleocapsid antibodies allows us to conclude that an infection has been contracted. However, we cannot then distinguish whether the anti-spike antibodies have formed as a result of a past infection or a successful vaccination.

Does the graph refer to the nucleocapsid antibodies or the spike antibodies? What does the graph in the findings letter refer to in terms of anti-nucleocapsid antibodies or anti-spike antibodies? What are the values for recovered patients based on?

The value represented by the blue horizontal line in the graph refers to your anti-spike antibodies. The comparative values are based on measurements carried out at different times on unvaccinated recovered people. According to current knowledge, it is known that recovered people have relatively good protection against severe courses of SARS-CoV-2 infection. However, the data situation for a corresponding threshold value is uncertain.

I recently had a flu vaccination. Should I wait a certain amount of time before having my blood taken or does it not matter?

A flu vaccination is directed against influenza viruses. These viruses have no known cross-reactivity with coronaviruses. There is therefore no need to wait between the flu vaccination and blood sampling.