Table 1 Public health evidence priorities to inform vaccine antigen composition

Sustain global genetic surveillance and timely data submission

Timely sequencing of geographically diverse samples submitted to open access databases.

Strengthen antigenic analyses of variants

Evaluation of VOCs (including relevant descendent lineages) in neutralization assays using harmonized methods with: well-characterized human convalescent sera from naive, previously vaccinated and previously infected individuals; well-characterized panels of human monoclonal antibodies; and well-characterized sera from infected and previously vaccinated animal models.

Reactivity in methodologically harmonized T-cell based assays should be done, where feasible.

Sustain in vitro virological assessments of variants

Continued assessments of viral fitness and pathogenicity of emerging variants.

Assess immunogenicity of variant-containing vaccine candidates

Evaluation of immunogenicity of variant-containing vaccine candidates and vaccines using harmonized methods: in animal models (naive and primed); in sera from recipients of variant-containing vaccines with different antigen composition (such as Omicron BA.1 versus BA.4/BA.5) as a booster^a across different vaccine formulations (including bivalent and monovalent) and platforms; and in sera from recipients of a variant-containing vaccine administered as a primary series, where possible.

Evaluate vaccine effectiveness of variant-containing vaccines

Standardized generation of clinical data to estimate absolute and relative vaccine effectiveness for different outcomes, such as infection, symptomatic disease, severe disease and death across different vaccine platforms and composition (if applicable).

Support further research and development for COVID-19 vaccines

Development of vaccines that elicit greater mucosal immunity.