Generation of antigen-specific memory B cells to viral infection and vaccination

The human immune system forms memory after infection or vaccination to protect against future exposures. This thesis has examined the formation and durability of virus-specific memory B cells following SARS-CoV-2 infection and influenza and COVID-19 vaccination. I have demonstrated that antigen-specific memory B cells: 1) are formed after vaccination of immunodeficient patients; 2) are durable after SARS-CoV-2 infection or COVID-19 vaccination; and 3) can be used to determine the capacity of a vaccine to induce protection against viral variants. These findings are critical to further our understanding of a protective immune response and can help inform future vaccine design.