As part of our ongoing #CelebrateVaccines campaign, we're highlighting recent impactful vaccine research published in our flagship journal Clinical & Experimental Immunology. From the latest innovations in vaccine trial designs to exploring how different populations respond to vaccines, these studies are at the forefront of advancing our understanding of vaccine science and its role in safeguarding public health.
The design of Phase 3 vaccine trials has evolved to include more flexible, adaptive approaches, improving both ethical considerations and efficiency. Modern trials now use methods like adaptive designs, Bayesian statistics, and machine learning to adjust based on real-time data and enhance result interpretation. These advancements enable faster, more accurate decision-making, ultimately improving our ability to assess vaccine efficacy and safety. Looking ahead, these innovations will continue to streamline vaccine development and enable timely, robust trials.
This work was authored by Leila Janani, Rachel Phillips, Ellie Van Vogt, Xinxue Liu, Claire Waddington, and Suzie Cro.
Rotaviruses are a leading cause of severe diarrhoea in infants and young children, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. Vaccines are available, but they tend to be less effective in these settings. One possible reason is early exposure to other infections like human cytomegalovirus (HCMV), a common virus acquired in infancy that can subtly alter immune function.
This study explores whether HCMV affects the immune response to oral rotavirus vaccines. While it found no overall impact, it revealed that HIV-exposed but uninfected (HEU) infants who were also HCMV-positive had significantly lower rotavirus antibody levels compared with those who were HCMV-negative. These findings highlight the need to consider how co-infections may influence vaccine efficacy in vulnerable populations.
This work was authored by Natasha Laban, Samuel Bosomprah, Roma Chilengi, Michelo Simuyandi, Caroline Chisenga, Harriet Ng’ombe, Kalo Musukuma-Chifulo and Martin Goodier
This study explored how the immune response to the BNT162b2 mRNA COVID-19 vaccine differs in paediatric patients with autoimmune inflammatory rheumatic disease (pAIIRD). While the cellular immune response (T-cell activity) was similar in patients with pAIIRD compared with the control group, the humoral (antibody) response was lower. Despite this, both groups experienced similar rates of breakthrough COVID-19 infections, suggesting that the cellular immune response may play a key role in protection against COVID-19.
This work was authored by Tali Eviatar, Adi Pappo, Tal Freund, Yishai Friedlander, Ori Elkayam, David Hagin and Merav Heshin-Bekenstein
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic autoimmune condition with no known cure. Although the BCG vaccine is used primarily to prevent tuberculosis, it also has broad immune-modulating effects—and may help slow the progression of MS.
New research in mouse models suggests the BCG Tokyo-172 strain can offer age-related protection, with vaccinated animals showing milder disease and more anti-inflammatory immune responses. These findings highlight the potential of repurposing existing vaccines to support treatment strategies for neuroinflammatory conditions.
This work was authored by Davide Cossu, Kazumasa Yokoyama, Tamami Sakanishi, Leonardo A Sechi and Nobutaka Hattori
This study examines how individuals with common variable immunodeficiency (CVID) and X-linked agammaglobulinemia (XLA) responded to multiple doses of COVID-19 vaccines. While these patients had weaker initial immune responses compared with healthy controls, additional vaccine doses—especially the third—significantly improved both antibody production and T-cell responses. Despite improved protection against the original SARS-CoV-2 strain, responses remained limited against newer variants like XBB1.5, highlighting the ongoing need for tailored vaccination strategies in immunocompromised populations.
This work was authored by Juan Francisco Gutiérrez-Bautista, Irene Díaz-Alberola, María Tarriño, María Aguilera, Fernando Cobo, Juan Antonio Reguera, Javier Rodríguez-Granger, Joaquín Mendoza, Miguel Ángel López-Nevot and Antonio Sampedro
The QuantiFERON SARS-CoV-2 test offers a simpler, field-friendly way to detect T-cell responses to the virus. It showed 100% sensitivity for detecting recent infections (12–21 days post-infection), outperforming the PITCH ELISpot. However, its sensitivity drops for past infections (12.5%) and vaccinated individuals (44.4%). While it shows promise for early detection, QuantiFERON is less reliable for assessing long-term immunity from vaccination or distant infections.
This work was authored by Síle A Johnson, Eloise Phillips, Sandra Adele, Stephanie Longet, Tom Malone, Chris Mason, Lizzie Stafford, Anni Jamsen, Siobhan Gardiner, Alexandra Deeks, Janice Neo, Emily J Blurton, Jemima White, Muhammed Ali, Barbara Kronsteiner, Joseph D Wilson, Dónal T Skelly, Katie Jeffery, Christopher P Conlon, Philip Goulder, PITCH Consortium, Miles Carroll, Eleanor Barnes, Paul Klenerman and Susanna J Dunachie
Research has explored the link between COVID-19 vaccination and antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody-associated vasculitis (AAV), a rare autoimmune disorder. The study surveyed the literature to identify 56 cases of AAV after vaccination, with 76.7% of patients receiving mRNA vaccines. Symptoms typically appeared after the first or second dose, with a median onset of 12–-14 days. While most patients (78.5%) responded well to treatments like immunosuppressive agents, some faced complications, including permanent dialysis dependence. The findings suggest COVID-19 vaccination may trigger AAV in very rare cases, particularly in genetically predisposed individuals, through enhanced immune response and epitope spreading.
This work was authored by Yang Yang, Yi Xiong and Gaosi Xu
Patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) can show weaker immune responses to SARS-CoV-2 vaccines, even after multiple doses. This reduced protection is linked to impaired class switch recombination in B cells, leading to lower levels of IgG and IgA antibodies and fewer switched memory B cells. Chronic exposure to interferon-α (which is common in SLE) may underlie this defect. These findings emphasise the need for tailored vaccine strategies in immunocompromised populations.
This work was authored by Guillem Montamat, Claire E Meehan, Hannah F Bradford, Reşit Yıldırım, Francisca Guimarães, Marina Johnson, David Goldblatt, David A Isenberg and Claudia Mauri
Researchers mapped antibody responses to the SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid (N) protein in individuals with natural infection (Wuhan, Delta, Omicron) and Sinopharm vaccine recipients. Using overlapping peptides and ELISA, they identified four immunodominant regions that consistently triggered strong, specific responses. These regions were highly conserved across SARS-CoV-2 variants and bat Sarbecoviruses and showed 100% specificity. Their consistency and sensitivity highlight potential for improved diagnostics and broad-spectrum vaccine design.
This work was authored by Pradeep Darshana Pushpakumara, Chandima Jeewandara, Farha Bary, Deshan Madushanka, Lahiru Perera, Inoka Sepali Aberathna, Thashmi Nimasha, Jeewantha Jayamali, Thushali Ranasinghe, Heshan Kuruppu, Saubhagya Danasekara, Ananda Wijewickrama, Graham S Ogg and Gathsaurie Neelika Malavige
In this study, healthy younger and older adults received either intramuscular or intranasal prime doses of a chimpanzee adenovirus-vectored RSV vaccine (PanAd3-RSV), followed by a boost with either PanAd3-RSV or MVA-RSV. Whole blood transcriptomic analysis showed significant differential gene expression (643 DEGs) following intramuscular priming, with no early DEGs after intranasal priming – though boosting elicited more DEGs in the intranasally primed group. Key immune pathways activated included type I interferon responses and humoral and lymphocytic responses, shedding light on delivery route differences in vaccine-induced immunity.
This work was authored by C Green, J McGinley, C Sande, S Capone, S Makvandi-Nejad, A Vitelli, L Silva-Reyes, S Bibi, C Otasowie, D Sheerin, A Thompson, C Dold, P Klenerman, E Barnes, L Dorrell, C Rollier, A Pollard and D O’Connor
Every article you read, cite, or share plays a crucial role in advancing vital vaccine research. All revenue generated from our journals is reinvested into BSI initiatives—supporting grants, events, and career development programs that strengthen the immunology community. Your engagement helps drive discovery and ensures continued progress in the field of immunology.
We also encourage you to publish your own research in the BSI journals portfolio, helping to shape the future of vaccine science. Join the conversation online by tagging us on X, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Bluesky, and don’t forget to use #CelebrateVaccines.