# Innovation Fund Application to the Multicenter AIDS Cohort Study MACS/Women's Interagency HIV Study WIHS Combined Cohort Study-MWCCS: COVID-19 Vaccine Acceptance and Hesitancy (CVHB) Study in People w

> **NIH NIH U01** · UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA AT BIRMINGHAM · 2021 · $33,629

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY
MWCCS participants are a high-risk group for severe COVID-19 disease in terms of being HIV-infected,
predominately of elderly age, and having numerous underlying comorbidities. Therefore, it is imperative for
their health that they be vaccinated with the COVID-19 vaccines. To date, however, there are only anecdotal
data on COVID-19 vaccine acceptance and efficacy in people with HIV (PWH). The MWCCS is ideal for
analyzing (a) the acceptancy and effects of COVID-19 vaccine(s) in male and female PWH and matched HIV-
uninfected controls (HUC), (b) the impact of age and co-morbidities on vaccine immune response and
protection against COVID-19, and (c) the social, economic, and behavioral changes after COVID-19
immunization as compared to the individuals who will not take the vaccine. To address this issue, we will have
two groups of MWCCS participants: Group A: Male and female PWH and HUC who choose to receive a
COVID-19 vaccine, Group B: Male and female PWH and HUC who choose NOT to receive a COVID-19
vaccine. The aims of our proposed longitudinal observational study are: Aim 1: To conduct a mixed-methods
investigation of the prevalence, correlates, and nuances of COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy among
MWCCS participants. Results will help understand the concerns of PWH and HUC populations regarding
COVID-19 vaccines based on age, sex, race/ethnicity, and underlying comorbidity burden. Aim 2: To
determine the incidence of natural SARS-CoV-2 infections post-COVID-19 immunization in PWH as compared
to HUC of the same age, sex, and ethnicity/race and compare with the incidence of infections in non-
vaccinated individuals. We will restrict Aim 2 to obtaining one specimen at baseline, just prior
vaccination in Group A, and within comparable time periods for Group B. Subsequent samples collected
during the core MWCCS visits will be used in the serological analyzes. These samples will allow us to
determine the serological COVID-19 status pre-immunization and post-immunization seroconversions for S
and N proteins. The titration of anti-S responses post immunization will indicate vaccine immune response,
while anti-N antibody titers will indicate natural SARS-CoV-2 infection. This information will allow the
identification of asymptomatic and symptomatic individuals infected with SARS-CoV-2 post-vaccination and in
non-vaccinated group.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10391742
- **Project number:** 3U01HL146192-03S1
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA AT BIRMINGHAM
- **Principal Investigator:** MIRJAM-COLETTE KEMPF
- **Activity code:** U01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $33,629
- **Award type:** 3
- **Project period:** 2019-04-01 → 2026-03-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10391742

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10391742, Innovation Fund Application to the Multicenter AIDS Cohort Study MACS/Women's Interagency HIV Study WIHS Combined Cohort Study-MWCCS: COVID-19 Vaccine Acceptance and Hesitancy (CVHB) Study in People w (3U01HL146192-03S1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-28 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10391742. Licensed CC0.

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