An immunological autobiography: my year as a COVID-19 vaccine trial participant

TL;DR

This paper provides a detailed longitudinal analysis of T and B cell immunity to SARS-CoV-2 and its variants over a year from a single individual who participated in a COVID-19 vaccine trial, offering insights into immune response durability.

Contribution

It presents one of the most comprehensive longitudinal immune response evaluations from a single individual post-COVID-19 vaccination, combining detailed immunological data with trial participation insights.

Findings

Strong evidence of vaccine-induced immunity without placebo receipt

Detailed immune response dynamics over one year post-vaccination

Insights into immune response to variants of concern

Abstract

I present here longitudinal evaluation of T and B cell immunity to SARS-CoV2 and variants of concern (VOC) from a single subject (me) over an entire year post vaccination. After enrolling in the Moderna phase III clinical trial, I collected my own biological samples pre- and post-immunization in the event of being a recipient of the experimental vaccine. The evidence strongly supports the conclusion that I did not receive the placebo. The analysis is admittedly limited to an n of 1, but the results fit well with data taken from published works and represent one of the more comprehensive longitudinal evaluations of vaccine-elicited immunity within a single individual yet to be undertaken. Though the data amount to a well-documented anecdote, given its granularity, it is not without its insights and may be of further use in directing future longitudinal studies that have actual statistical significance.