Coronavirus Vaccine Initiative

Viruses more virulent and deadly than COVID-19 are waiting in the wings. Coronaviruses are part of an exceptionally diverse family of viruses that represent a profound threat to human health. Over the last twenty years there have already been three major coronavirus outbreaks, including SARS-CoV-1 (2003), MERS-CoV (2012), and SARS-CoV-2 (2019). With hundreds of variants circulating in a wide range of animals, it is only a matter of time until the next outbreak of SARS-X.

The Human Immunome Project has been at the forefront of advocating for the development of a universal coronavirus vaccine, one that protects against viruses across the coronavirus family, and one that is available to stop the next pandemic before it starts.

COVID-19 vaccines have been a remarkable success, and understanding the basis of this success will help prepare the world for the next pandemic. The HIP and its partners are undertaking some of the most in-depth vaccine studies yet conducted to understand how such vaccines protect, which vaccines work best for which populations, and how to improve vaccines to combat the next virus outbreak.