ORCHESTRA Project Overview
About ORCHESTRA
ORCHESTRA Luxembourg is part of the EU-wide ORCHESTRA project, a four-year international research initiative coordinated by the University of Verona and funded by the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research program. The project aims to deliver scientific evidence about COVID-19 vaccination efficacy, prevention, and treatment, while monitoring long-term effects of the pandemic.
By following participants from the CON-VINCE study and additional participants with Parkinson’s disease, ORCHESTRA Luxembourg studies immune responses to vaccination, breakthrough infections, and the long-term physical and psychological impacts of the pandemic.
Participants contributed to the study at four time points that extend over up to 21 months from study start. The time-points have been selected to achieve long-term monitoring of immune responses and vaccination efficacy, as well as to understand the long-term effects of the pandemic on residents of Luxembourg. Participants were asked to do the following immediately after enrolment and then on months 3, 9 and 21.
- Fill out a questionnaire (which takes approximately 30 minutes to complete) that addresses the following aspects:
– SARS-CoV-2 Vaccine
– Epidemiological factors and travel history
– Demographics and socioeconomic questions
– Comorbidities and current medication
– Symptom’s onset and initial clinical signs of SARS-CoV-2
– Knowledge, perception of risks related to SARS-CoV-2- Current clinical symptoms
– Psychological questionnaires - Provide a dried blood spot sample and an optional stool sample through easy-to-use collection kits that they received at home.
Research Impact
ORCHESTRA generates valuable data on:
– Long-term immune responses to COVID-19 vaccination
– Breakthrough infection patterns and severity
– Post-COVID conditions and Long COVID
– Psychological and socioeconomic impacts of the pandemic
– Environmental and socioeconomic factors affecting disease spread
– Special considerations for vulnerable populations
The project contributes to Luxembourg’s role in international COVID-19 research and provides crucial insights for managing future public health emergencies.
Key Project Components
– Longitudinal monitoring of immune responses
– Analysis of breakthrough infections
– Study of Long COVID manifestations
– Study of long-term effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and of SARS-CoV-2 infection
– Assessment of psychological and socioeconomic impacts
– Investigation of environmental factors
– Integration with European research networks
Frequently Asked Questions
For study participants
- How can I contact the ORCHESTRA Study team?
The ORCHESTRA Study team is available for any request via orchestra.luxembourg@lih.lu Monday to Friday from 8:00 – 17:00.
- What difference will my participation make?
Your participation is key, because volunteers are the source of the information that we need to improve our understanding of the long-term impact of COVID-19. By offering a little bit of your time across the next two years, you can make a highly valuable contribution to determining how well people are protected from COVID-19 through vaccination, and help both to control the current pandemic and to prepare for potential future pandemics.
- I had a positive antibody test (serology). What does this mean for my immune status?
A positive antibody test shows that your immune system has responded to a previous COVID-19 infection or vaccination. While antibodies are an important part of the immune response, protection against reinfection depends on several factors, including:
- The time elapsed since your last infection or vaccination
- The virus variant you are exposed to
- Your general health status
Even with antibodies, you can still be infected with the virus and transmit it, though your risk of severe illness is significantly reduced. Scientific evidence shows that “hybrid immunity” (through both vaccination and infection) provides the most comprehensive protection. Nevertheless, it is advisable to maintain basic hygiene measures, especially when in contact with vulnerable individuals.
- What will happen to my data?
Your personal data will be collected and analysed in order to achieve the scientific objectives of the study. We ensure the protection of your data in accordance with the General Data Protection Regulation (EU) 2016/679 of 27 April 2016, applicable from 25 May 2018, known as ‘GDPR’. Detailed information on data processing can be found in the subject information sheet. If you have any questions about the processing of your personal data by the LIH or LCSB/UL, you can find more information under https://www.lih.lu/en/data-privacy/ or directly contact the Data Protection Officer by email at dpo@lih.lu or dpo@uni.lu.
- Where can I find a copy of the subject information sheet and the informed consent form?
A copy of the subject information sheet and informed consent form can be found in different languages here in EN, FR and DE.
For researchers
The ORCHESTRA study team can be contacted via orchestra.luxembourg@lih.lu .
About the Study
- What makes ORCHESTRA unique?
ORCHESTRA combines data from multiple European cohorts, including Luxembourg’s CON-VINCE study participants, to provide comprehensive insights into long-term COVID-19 effects and vaccine efficacy. The project’s integration of data from multiple countries and special populations makes it particularly valuable for understanding the pandemic’s broader impacts.
- What types of research analyses are performed?
The study conducts several types of analyses:
– Immunological responses to vaccination
– Breakthrough infection patterns
– Long COVID characteristics
– Psychological impact assessments
– Socioeconomic effect evaluations
– Environmental factor analyses
– long term outcomes of the pandemic
Research Findings and Data
- What happens to collected samples and data?
As part of this research project, specific tests are foreseen on the samples (e.g. serology – analysis of blood antibodies that indicate if the immune system reacted against the coronavirus and/or the vaccine). New knowledge about the SARS-CoV-2 infection is gained daily through the efforts of researchers world-wide. For this reason the methods applied to test your samples may vary according to state of the art. Overall, all future analysis and testing on these samples will be limited to projects focusing on infectious diseases and immunology.
- How does ORCHESTRA contribute to other COVID-19 research?
ORCHESTRA data contributes to several international research initiatives studying:
– Vaccine effectiveness across populations
– Long-term immunity patterns
– Virus variants and their spread
– Population-level impacts
– Special population considerations
– Environmental and socioeconomic factors
Current Status
Is the study still recruiting participants?
No, ORCHESTRA has completed its recruitment phase. However, the research team continues to analyze collected data and samples, generating important insights about long-term impacts of COVID-19 and vaccination effectiveness.
- What ongoing research is being conducted with ORCHESTRA Luxembourg samples and data?
Current research includes:
– Analysis of long-term immunity patterns
– Study of breakthrough infections
– Investigation of Long COVID
– Assessment of vaccination effectiveness
– Evaluation of psychological impacts
– Integration with international COVID-19 research
- What other projects does ORCHESTRA Luxembourg contribute data and samples to?
Study Partners
ORCHESTRA Luxembourg is a collaborative effort involving key institutions:
– Luxembourg Institute of Health (LIH) – Study coordination and research
– University of Luxembourg/LCSB – Data analysis and integration
– Centre Hospitalier de Luxembourg (CHL) – Clinical expertise
– Laboratoire National de Santé (LNS) – Sample analysis
– International ORCHESTRA consortium partners
The project is funded by the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under the ERAvsCORONA Action Plan.