What are the aims of the collection?
The Victorian Critical Vaccinees Collection (VC²) is a biospecimen collection – or biobank – of samples from people vaccinated against pandemic diseases including COVID-19 and monkeypox in Victoria.
Who can access samples?
All Victorian-based researchers are welcome to apply for access to samples and related demographic and medical history data. Researchers applying for access will need to have ethical approval and complete the VC² sample application process.
Who can contribute samples?
The biobank collects samples from a cross section of Victorians being vaccinated against pandemic diseases such as COVID-19 and monkeypox, including people who have already received their initial vaccines and are now getting a booster dose. This includes a cross-section of ages and vaccine types. Groups of high interest include:
- People over the age of 65
- People living with HIV
- People with prior COVID-19 or monkeypox infection
- Healthcare workers
- People with an immunosuppressive condition or on immunosuppressive agents, including people with rheumatological disease or who have received solid organ transplants
- People with chronic kidney disease
What types of samples are available?
The biobank will collect blood from up to 1500 vaccinees and store plasma, serum, peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) and DNA. Saliva will be collected from some participants.
Samples will be collected up to seven times over two years. The first collection is before the first associated vaccination and the final collection is taken 24 months after vaccination.
Where are the participating recruitment sites?
Recruitment is currently occurring mainly through this website (see link to Register your interest below) and the Doherty Institute. Other participating sites include:
- Monash Health
- Western Health
- Austin Health
Who is running the biobank?
The Victorian COVID-19 Vaccinees Collection (VC²) is a collaborative project hosted at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity.
Researchers – read more about accessing samples
Participants – read more about getting involved in the study