Immunity to COVID-19

Tests in macaques show robust protection against the SARS-CoV-2 virus induced by either vaccines or natural infection.

Photograph by iStock

One of the most clinically significant scientific questions about SARS CoV-2 is whether the human immune system can protect against the disease, as the result of either vaccination or the body’s response to natural infection. 

A pair of studies in macaques, which share 93 percent of their DNA with humans, suggests that exposure to the disease or administration of a vaccine can confer protective immunity. “Our findings increase optimism that the development of COVID-19 vaccines will be possible,” said professor of medicine and of immunology Dan Barouch, senior author of both Science papers. The results are being hailed by other scientists as extremely good news. 

In the study of natural infection, the researchers exposed nine macaques to SARS-CoV-2. All recovered and developed antibodies. Five weeks later, the macaques were again exposed to the virus. This time, the animals displayed rapid immunologic control of the infection, and developed no clinically observable symptoms.

In the vaccination study, Barouch and colleagues in his Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center laboratory tested six DNA vaccines, designed to instruct the immune system to recognize the SARS-CoV-2 virus that causes COVID-19 disease. (DNA vaccines have not traditionally been viewed as optimal platforms for human vaccine development, and are just one of many approaches being pursued worldwide.) Each vaccine was slightly different: one encoded the full sequence of the spike protein that the virus uses to enter human cells; another did the same, but deleted the cytoplasmic tail; others encoded for different fragments of the spike protein.

The researchers found that all the vaccines, delivered as an initial shot followed by a booster, conferred protection, but some were more effective than others. Furthermore, they discovered that animals that developed higher numbers of antibodies after vaccination also exhibited lower levels of virus after subsequent exposure to SARS-CoV-2. This means that measuring the antibody response could provide clues to the effectiveness of vaccines during clinical testing.

Still unclear is the durability of human immunity to this coronavirus. “Further research will be needed to address the important questions about the length of protection,” said Barouch, “as well as the optimal vaccine platforms for SARS-CoV-2 vaccines for humans.” 

Read more articles by Jonathan Shaw

You might also like

Nicole Maestas

The Harvard health economist not afraid to get in the weeds

AI is Making Medical Decisions — But For Whom?

Doctors warn that without an ethical framework, patients could be left behind.

Five Questions with JoAnn Manson

A veteran women’s health advocate on federal funding cuts

Most popular

Trump Administration Alleges Harvard Violated Student Civil Rights

In a court filing, the University says government has ignored procedure to “inflict pain.”

House Committee Subpoenas Harvard Over Tuition Costs

The University must turn over all requested materials related to tuition and financial aid by mid-July. 

Making Art Work

David Andersson’s quest to reshape the public realm

Explore More From Current Issue

Harvard Commencement 2025

Harvard passes a test of its values, yet challenges loom.

Saluting the 2025 Centennial Medalists

Four alumni of the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences are honored.

Harvard’s Plant Collection Meets Space Science

Light-based analysis of botanical collections link plants to Earth’s changing climate.