SIREN study
TheProviding SIREN study has been investigating SARS-CoV-2 infections and acute respiratory illness in healthcare workers since 2020, and providing vital research into theCOVID-19 immuneimmunity responseand tovaccine infectioneffectiveness and vaccination.
nationally.
- From:
-
- Published
- 20 June 2022
- Last updated
-
25
13JuneSeptember20252024— See all updates
The SARS-CoV-2 Immunityimmunity and Reinfectionreinfection Evaluationevaluation (SIREN) study is a prospectiveunique, cohortlarge-scale studypartnership ofwith hospital-basedNHS healthcare workers acrossproviding thean UK.agile Itresponse wasto establishedan inevolving 2020pandemic. asIt ais pandemicone responseof study,the withnational 44,543core healthcarestudies workersestablished recruitedin fromresponse 135to NHSCOVID-19 trustsand ora healthNational boards.Institute Thefor studyHealth initiallyResearch investigated(NIHR) SARS-CoV-2urgent reinfectionspriority study, and thecontinues durabilityto ofprovide immunityvital followingresearch infection,into immunity and subsequentlyvaccine COVID-19effectiveness.
The vaccination.SIREN Itstudy haswas expandedestablished itsearly scopein to evaluate the impactpandemic ofwith winterparticipants pressuresundergoing onregular thetesting healthcarefor workforce,up and questions related to immunity2 moreyears. broadly.Analysis Sinceof 2023,these SIRENtesting hassamples beenhelps centrally run by the UK Healthto Securityevaluate Agencythe (UKHSA).
SIREN+immune hasresponse beento runningCOVID-19, sincebuild 2024.understanding Thisof hasthe involvedprotection dataoffered collectionby onvaccines symptoms and absenceprovide frominsight workinto inCOVID-19 5,000reinfections.
Healthcare participantsworkers recruitedare fromenrolled in the originalUK-wide SIREN cohort.study Inthrough additionthe tohospital investigatingsite winterthey pressures,work SIREN+at. providesA antotal opportunityof to135 addresssites newhave researchparticipated questionsin ofthe publicstudy healthinvolving importancealmost that45,000 impactparticipants, healthcaremaking workers,SIREN including the emergencelargest study of multidrug-resistantits organismskind and risk factors for healthcare-associated infections.globally.
TheIn SIRENwinter study2022 isto registered2023, withmultiplex ISRCTNpolymerase 284460.
Mainchain findingsreaction from SIREN(PCR) totesting date
Evaluatingwas protectionintroduced followingthrough infection and vaccination
Throughout the pandemic, the SIREN studyWinter hasPressures providedsub-study, valuableadding evidencetesting onfor immunityinfluenza following(flu) SARS-CoV-2 infection and COVID-19respiratory vaccination,syncytial whichvirus has(RSV) directlyalongside informedCOVID-19.
SIREN pandemic2.0, policy including the roadnew mapphase out of lockdown.
Beforethe vaccineSIREN roll-outstudy, began in theSeptember UK,2023 wewith foundactive thattesting previouson SARS-CoV-2a infectionsmaller reducedsub-cohort from the riskoriginal cohort of a45,000 newthroughout infectionwinter by2023 84% for up to 7 months following infection.2024.
WeSIREN then2.0 assessedwill immediatecontinue protectionto providedplay bya BNT162b2central vaccinesrole in oursurveillance cohortof duringCOVID-19 Alphaacross variantthe circulation,UK, whichincluding wasthe overdetection 85%of foremerging 2new vaccinevariants doses.
Followingand this,other werespiratory demonstratedviruses thatusing protectionregular frommultiplex 2testing COVID-19for vaccineCOVID-19, dosesinfluenza wanedand after 6 months, supporting the decision to deploy vaccine booster campaigns in the UK. RSV.
Subsequently,The weSIREN showedstudy thatis vaccineregistered boosterswith increasedISRCTN protection284460,.
Main butfindings werefrom lessSIREN
The effectiveSIREN againststudy thehas thenprovided newlyvaluable emergedevidence Omicronon variantimmunity comparedfollowing toSARS-CoV-2 Deltainfection variant.
Weand continuedCOVID-19 tovaccination analyse protection after subsequent vaccine boosters deployed 2022/23 and 2023/24,provided findingsurveillance thesedata boosterson providedinfection modest and short-livedemerging additionalvariants. benefitThis againstevidence infection,has inplayed a contextcritical ofrole increasinglyin complexinforming hybridthe immunitynational inCOVID-19 the population. response.
Monitoring
We SARS-CoV-2have infectionsassessed andthe assessingdurability riskof factorsprotection forfollowing infectionSARS-CoV-2 ininfection, UKCOVID-19 healthcarevaccination, workers
Withand continuousa testingcombination sinceof Junethe 20202 until(‘hybrid Marchprotection’) 2024,throughout wethe havepandemic monitoredand infections in healthcare workers across successivevariant pandemic waves.
Our Exploringvaccine riskeffectiveness factorsfindings, forreleased healthcarein workerFebruary infections,2021, wedemonstrating identifiedhigh occupationalshort-term risksprotection despitefollowing vaccinationthe duringfirst England’s2 seconddoses wave.
However,of thisCOVID-19 riskvaccine was not observed in subsequentUK waveshealthcare whenworkers, communityprovided andimportant householdevidence exposuresto wereinform the mainUK driversroadmap out of infection. lockdown.
Understanding SARS-CoV-2 immunity
WithIn large-scale2021, longitudinalwe serologicalestablished testing, paired with regular PCR testing, the SIREN studyConsortium isconsisting well-placedof toacademic, addressclinical differentand aspectspublic ofhealth serologicalpartners. responseThis associatedhas withallowed SARS-CoV-2us infectionto andgain vaccination. Wea havebetter amassedunderstanding collections of longitudinalserological serum,correlates preof andprotection, post event for reinfections and vaccine breakthroughs across different variants that are highly valuable for future immunological studies.
In the earlyrole stages of theT-cell pandemic,responses wein demonstratedSARS-CoV-2. thatWe titresare ofexpanding neutralisingthis antibodies,work afor typewinter of2023 antibodyto that2024 canfor preventinfluenza infection,and wereRSV.
We lowhave oralso absentestablished before reinfection, highlighting that neutralising antibodies could be used as a potentialmotivated correlateand ofdynamic protectionparticipant againstinvolvement SARS-CoV-2panel infection.
Wein thencollaboration compared reinfection cases pre-vaccination with matchedthe controlsBritish (FebruarySociety 2021),for demonstratingImmunology. thatThe detectablegroup neutralisingis antibodymade titresup (overof 40)SIREN werestudy associatedparticipants, with a significantdiverse reductionmix in odds of reinfectiongender, (overethnicity 90%).
Thisand wasprofessions. supportedThey byhave findingshelped post-vaccination (April to Octobermake 2021),sure inSIREN whichcontinues weto founddeliver thatrelevant, Deltafeasible neutralisingand antibodytranslatable titresresearch, overand 40have werecontributed associateddirectly withto aSIREN substantialstudy reductionprotocols inand oddsco-author ofpeer-reviewed infection (89%). papers.
Quantifying the impact of winter pressures on the NHS workforce
InFinally, winter 2022/23, SIREN expandedwill itscontinue testing to includework Influenzawith andour RSVpartners asat wellBirmingham asCity SARS-CoV-2University usingand multiplexwithin PCR,the toUK improveHealth ourSecurity understandingAgency of(UKHSA) theto burdentry ofand respiratoryidentify viruseslessons infrom healthcare workers in the UK.
Forpandemic, 2022/2023including andunderstanding 2023/2024,the webarriers have demonstrated that COVID-19, influenza and RSVfacilitators arefor experiencedvaccination simultaneouslyamong in healthcare workers,workers, withas SARS-CoV-2part infectionsof dominating,our compoundingfuture servicepandemic pressurespreparedness throughresponse.
Watch significantvideos stafffor absence.more information.
Videos
Our storystory:
The SIREN Study: Our story - YouTube
Learn from SIREN study research teamsteams:
The SIREN Study: Hear from our research teams - YouTube
Learn from SIREN study participantsparticipants:
The SIREN Study: Hear from our participants - YouTube
Recent
Learn about recent study findingsfindings:
SIREN 3 years on: Showcase of study findings - YouTube
The
Learn from the SIREN study teamteam:
The SIREN Study: Hear from the SIREN study team - YouTube
Learn about SIREN 2.02.0:
Hear about SIREN 2.0:The SIREN Study: SIREN 2.0 update – YouTube
Partners
UKHSA runs the
SIREN: study in partnership with NHS sites, the Publicstory Healthso Agencyfar
This Northerninfographic Ireland,lists Publickey Healthmoments Scotlandduring andthe Public Health Wales.
The SIREN study worksand withindicates athat numberthe ofproject academichas partners,moved including:
- World
onHealthtoOrganisationSIREN(Europe2.0.TextRegion) - Francis
versionCrick Institute - Wellcome Sanger Institute
- University College London
- University of Cardiff
- University
timeline2020Mayof–Cambridge - University
ethicsofapprovalJuneOxford - University
–offirstLiverpool - University
participantofrecruitedSeptemberSheffield - Newcastle
–University - University
firstofreinfectionsBirmingham - Birmingham
investigatedDecemberCity–University - Imperial
vaccinesCollegeintroduced,London - University
SIRENofinvestigatesGlasgow - Kings
vaccineCollegeeffectiveness,London - British
PITCHSocietysub-studyof Immunology
There2021
January is– afirst standardisedvaccine applicationeffectiveness processanalysis
March for– those45,000 interestedparticipants recruited in accessingfirst year
July – SIREN Studycontinues samplesfor and/ora associatedsecond metadata.year
August Applicants– areMedical expectedResearch toCouncil complete£1.5 anmillion electronicfunding establishes the SIREN Studyconsortium
October Sample– andserological Datare-infection Formanalysis
December (– first SIREN Studyparticipant Sampleinvolvement and/orpanel Data(PIP)
2022
February Request– Form).VIBRANT Thissub-study capturesrecruitment thebegins
October key– informationenhanced requiredquestionnaires for thesymptoms
November SIRENto StudyDecember Collaboration– Oversightmultiplex Grouptesting tointroduced
March review.– qualitative sub-study
If2023
March you,– beforequalitative submittingsub-study
August your form, you want to haveSeptember an– informalrecruitment discussionopens aboutto the SIREN study2.0
September samples– and available data, please contact Victoria Hall at: Victoria.Hall@UKHSASIREN.gov.uk 2.0
Research grantsPartners
- (2024)
UKHSAMRC:runsTargetingtheCoronaviruses through Fc-dependent Antibody Activities - (2023) UKRI HDR-UK: SIREN Winter
studyPressures WP0034 - (2022) Medical Research Council: Protective Immunity through T Cells in Healthcare
partnershipworkerswith2NHS(PITCHsites,2)theMR/X009297/1 - (2021)
PublicMedicalHealthResearchAgencyCouncil:NorthernInvestigationIreland,ofPublicprovenHealthvaccineScotlandbreakthroughandbyPublicSARS-CoV-2HealthvariantsWales.Thein UK healthcare worker cohorts: SIREN consortiumstudy&worksPITCHwithPlusaPathway.numberMR/W02067X/1
SIRENof publicacademic participantpartners. involvementThe and engagement
Within SIREN weConsortium recognisedwas theestablished valuein ofAugust actively2021 involvingand awas panelsuccessfully ofawarded participantsa in£1.57 themillion study,research particularlygrant givenby itsUK scaleResearch and theInnovation role (UKRI).
SIREN hasConsortium playedmembers ininclude:
WellcomeinformingSangertheInstituteThenationalFrancispandemicCrickresponse.Our
InstituteProtectiveParticipantImmunityInvolvementfromPanelT(PIP)cellsistoanCOVID-19activeinpartnershipHealthbetweenworkersstudy(PITCH):UniversityparticipantsofwithOxfordUniversityresearchersofthatLiverpoolUniversityinfluencesofandSheffieldNewcastleshapesUniversityUniversityresearch.ofTheBirmingham
HumoralSIRENImmunePIPCorrelateswasforestablishedCOVID-19in(HICC)ImperialcollaborationCollegewithLondonUniversitytheofGlasgow- British Society for Immunology
GenOMICC
For asSIREN part2.0, ofwe thehave SIRENestablished Consortium,new collaborations with thescientific aimpartners, ofWorld providingInfluenza regularCentre feedbackand as the studyWellcome hasSanger evolvedInstitute.
The overWellcome time.Sanger ByInstitute activelyin involvingCambridge peopleis whoa ourworld researchleader isin forgenomic sequencing and about,metagenomics. includingThey duringwill thesequence design,samples implementationfrom andthe evaluationSIREN stagesstudy ofand researchuse hasmetagenomics ensuredto theinvestigate researchother conductedpathogens hasthat remainedcause relevantrespiratory toinfection thesuch studyas cohort.parainfluenza.
TheWith PIPthe consistsincreasing ofinterest approximatelyin 10Influenza, SIRENwe participants,have fromalso set up a rangecollaboration ofwith professions,the ethnicities,World ageInfluenza andCentre genders(WIC) acrossin theLondon. UKThe inWIC orderis toone reflectof 6 centres in the cohort.
Theworld PIPresponsible hasfor beenanalysing involvedinfluenza viruses circulating in the co-developmenthuman ofpopulation, coreoverseen participantby andthe publicWorld engagementHealth activitiesOrganization which(WHO). areWe essentialplan to theshare runninginfluenza ofviruses thedetected studyas includingpart newsletters,of webinars,SIREN blog2.0, posts,which andmay hasbe co-authoredused ato peerdesign reviewinfluenza article.vaccines for future seasons
Contributors
Staff across the 135 sites have helped with the running of the study.
Download a study contributors list (ODS, 26.8 KB).
Funding
The SIREN study is funded by UKHSA, the Department of Health and Social Care and NIHR, with contributions from the Scottish, Welsh and Northern Irish governments and funding awarded through research grants.
Related articles
The SIREN study: answering the big questions.
SIREN: One year on.
SIREN: 2Two years on.
SIREN: The triple burden of flu, RSV and COVID-19 - UKHSA
SIREN Winter Pressure Study - Health Data Research UK
Scientific papers
Please find below a list of scientific outputs.
Published papers
- Hall V J, Foulkes S, Charlett A and others. ‘SARS-CoV-2 infection rates of antibody-positive compared with antibody-negative health-care workers in England: a large, multicentre, prospective cohort study (SIREN)’ Lancet 2021: volume 397, issue 10,283, pages 1,459 to 1,469
- Hall V J, Foulkes S, Saei A and others. ‘COVID-19 vaccine coverage in health-care workers in England and effectiveness of BNT162b2 mRNA vaccine against infection (SIREN): a prospective, multicentre, cohort study’ Lancet 2021: volume 397, issue 10,286, pages 1,725 to 1,735
- Atti A, Ferrari M, Castillo-Olivares J and others. ‘Serological profile of first SARS-CoV-2 reinfection cases detected within the SIREN study’ Journal of Infection 2022: volume 84, issue 2, pages 248 to 288
- Hall V, Foulkes S, Insalata F and others. ‘Protection against SARS-CoV-2 after COVID-19 vaccination and previous infection’ New England Journal of Medicine 2022: volume 386, issue 13, pages 1,207 to 1,220
- Wallace S, Hall V, Charlett A and others. ‘Impact of prior SARS-CoV-2 infection and COVID-19 vaccination on the subsequent incidence of COVID-19: a multicentre prospective cohort study among UK healthcare workers - the SIREN (Sarscov2 Immunity and Reinfection
REinfectionEvaluation)EvaluatioN)study protocol’ British Medical Journal Open 2022: volume 12, issue 6, articlepagee054336 - Pople D, Monk E, Evans S and others. ‘Burden of SARS-CoV-2 infection in healthcare workers during second wave in England and impact of vaccines: prospective multicentre cohort study (SIREN) and mathematical model’ British Medical Journal (Clinical research edition) 2022: volume 378, article
pagee070379 - Atti A, Insalata F, Carr E J and others. SIREN Study Group and the Crick COVID Immunity Pipeline Consortium. ‘Antibody correlates of protection from SARS-CoV-2 reinfection prior to vaccination: A nested case-control within the SIREN study’ The Journal of Infection 2022: volume 85, issue 5, pages 545 to 556
- Foulkes S, Monk EJM, Sparkes D and others. ‘Early Warning Surveillance for SARS-CoV-2 Omicron Variants, United Kingdom, November 2021 to September 2022’ Emerging Infectious Diseases 2023: volume 29, issue 1, pages 184 to 188
- Atti A, Insalata F, Carr E J and others. ‘Antibody correlates of protection against Delta infection after vaccination: a nested case-control within the UK-based Siren Study’ Journal of Infection 2023
- Howells A, Aquino EN, Bose D and others. ‘Demonstrating the learning and impact of embedding participant involvement in a pandemic research study: the experience of the SARS-CoV-2 immunity and reinfection evaluation (SIREN) study UK, 2020-2023’ Research Involvement and Engagement 2023
- Hall VJ, Insalata F, Foulkes S, and others. ‘Effectiveness of BNT162b2 mRNA vaccine third doses and previous infection in protecting against SARS-CoV-2 infections during the Delta and Omicron variant waves; the UK SIREN cohort study September 2021 to February 2022’ Journal of Infection November 2023: volume S0163-4453, issue 23, pages 00553 to 00554
- Kirwan PD, Hall VJ, Foulkes S and others. ‘Effect of second booster vaccinations and prior infection against SARS-CoV-2 in the UK SIREN healthcare worker cohort’. The Lancet Regional Health - Europe January 2024: volume 36, 100809
- Broad J, Sparkes D, Platt N and others. ’Adapting COVID-19 research infrastructure to capture influenza and respiratory syncytial virus alongside SARS-CoV-2 in UK healthcare workers winter 2022 to 2023 and beyond: protocol for a pragmatic sub-study‘ [version 2; peer review: 1 approved with reservations]. NIHR Open Research 2024: volume 4, issue 1
- Foulkes S, Evans J, Neill C and others. ‘Prevalence and impact of persistent symptoms following SARS-CoV-2 infection among healthcare workers: a cross-sectional survey in the SIREN cohort’ Journal of Infection August 2024
Pre-prints
- Kirwan
WallacePD, Foulkes S, MunroHallKV,CharlettASIRENofprotocol:vaccineImpactboostersofanddetectableprioranti-SARS-CoV-2infectiononagainstthemild/asymptomaticsubsequentandincidencemoderateofCOVID-19 infection in the100,000UK SIREN healthcare workerworkers:cohort:doOctoberantibody2023positivetohealthcareMarchworkers2024’haveJournallessofreinfectionInfectionthan2024:antibodyvolumenegative89,healthcareissueworkers?’5,medRxivpages2020:106,293 to 106,2932020.12.15.20247981 - Evans
HallJM,V,SergensonFoulkesN,S,DembinskyCharlettMAand others.others(2021).Doandantibodyretainingpositivehealthcare workers inhaveScotlandlowertoSARS-CoV-2ainfectionlongitudinalratesCOVID-19thanstudy:antibodyanegativedescriptivehealthcareanalysis’workers?BMCLargeMedicalmulti-centreResearchprospectiveMethodologycohort2024:studyvolume(the24,SIRENissuestudy),1England:JunetoNovember2020’medRxiv,2021.2001.2013.21249642 - Monk
HallEJM,V,Foulkes S, MunroInsalataKFand others.others(2021).EffectivenessanddurabilityprotectionagainstfutureinfectioninconferredhealthcarebyworkersCOVID-19withinvaccinationandpreviousinfection;findingsfromUKKingdom:SIRENriskprospectivefactorscohortforstudyinfectionofduringhealthcarefourworkerssuccessiveMarchwaves’2020toSeptember2021’JournalmedRxiv,2021.2011.2029.21267006 OtterAD,D’ArcangeloS,WhitakerHandothers(2022).‘DeterminantsSARS-CoV-22024:anti-spikevolumeantibody90,levelsissuefollowing2,BNT162b2pagesvaccination:106,393cross-sectionaltoanalysis106,393of6,000SIRENstudyparticipants’medRxiv,2022.2004.2021.22274025- Howells
AttiA, MunroInsalataK,F,FoulkesCarrSEand others. ‘CohortAntibodyretentioncorrelatesinofaprotectionpandemicagainstresponseDeltastudy:infectionlessonsafterfromvaccination:theaSARS-CoV2nestedImmunitycase-controlandwithinReinfectiontheEvaluationUK-Based(SIREN) study’study’ VictoriaBMCJMedicalHall,ResearchFerdinandoMethodologyInsalata, Sarah2025:Foulkes,volumePeter25,Kirwan,issueDominic1- Atti
Sparkes,A,AnaEnglandAtti,A,MichelleSungCole,JElenanddeothers.Lacy,LesleyPrice,DianeCorrigan,ColinSBrown,JasminIslam,TheSIRENStudyGroup,AndreCharlett,SusanHopkins(2023).EffectivenessneutralisingofantibodyBNT162b2responsesmRNAagainstvaccineemergingthirddosesandpreviousinfectioninprotectingagainstinfectionsutilisingduringconvalescenttheseraDeltabeforeandOmicronvariantwaves;UKofSIRENXBB-lineagecohortvaccines’ Vaccinestudy2025:Septembervolume202151,topageFebruary1268982022’ - Bustamante
KirwanQ,P,SparkesHallD,V,FindlaterFoulkesLSand others.others(2023).ProtectionoccupationalofsecondboostervaccinationspriorfactorsinfectioninfluencingagainstSARS-CoV-2intheSIRENcohort’formedRxivCOVID-192023.09.29.23296330
Site andlist
In influenzathe vaccination:first Ayear cross-sectionalof surveythe within SIREN’ Vaccinestudy, 2025:135 volumesites 56,across pagesthe 127,160UK contributed, with 87 sites contributing to 127,160
The Findlaterfollowing Ltable andlists others.different ‘HealthcareSIREN workerstudy attitudessites towithin lateralEngland, flowNorthern deviceIreland, testingScotland and sickWales. leaveAccording forto influenza-likethe illnessyear inof the UK:study, A‘active’ hypotheticalindicates scenario-basedsites study’with Journalactive ofSIREN Hospitaltesting Infectionand (published‘closed’ onlineindicates 1sites Maywhere 2025)
Please Sparkesnote, DSIREN andparticipants others.at ‘Adaptingsites COVID-19who researchare infrastructureno longer actively testing remain important contributors to capturethe influenzastudy. They will continue to receive communications and respiratorykey syncytialstudy virusupdates alongsidefrom SARS-CoV-2the inSIREN UKteam healthcareand workersmay winterbe 2022/23:offered Resultsopportunities offor afurther pilotinvolvement.
Pre-prints
| |||
SIREN 2.0 map
ToThis contactmap is a visual representation of the SIREN studyNHS team,sites pleaselisted email siren@ukhsa.gov.ukabove.

Updates to this page
Last updated 25
-
Updated the page to incorporate new findings and to remove the site list.
-
27 August 2024 Added reference 13 to the list of published papers.
-
5 April 2024 Added reference 12 under 'published papers'.
-
30 January 2024 Added timeline infographic and map.
-
11 December 2023 Updated site list.
-
15 November 2023 Updated details of the study, main findings and added scientific papers.
-
4 October 2023 Added link to SIREN study video on recent findings.
-
4 August 2023 Added link to SIREN study team video and new study publication.
-
24 October 2022 Added videos about the SIREN study.
-
4 October 2022 Added link to 'Burden of SARS-CoV-2 infection in healthcare workers during second wave in England and impact of vaccines'.
-
26 July 2022 Added site contributors list.
-
21 June 2022 Added Study site list and link to 'SIREN: Two years on'.
-
20 June 2022 First published.
Sign up for emails or print this page
Explore the topic
Update history
2025-06-25 14:00
Updated the page to incorporate new findings and to remove the site list.
2024-09-13 16:23
Added published paper 14.
2024-08-27 17:08
Added reference 13 to the list of published papers.
2024-04-05 08:46
Added reference 12 under ‘published papers’.
2024-01-30 17:45
Added timeline infographic and map.
2023-12-11 10:42
Updated site list.
2023-11-15 10:00
Updated details of the study, main findings and added scientific papers.
2023-10-04 14:51
Added link to SIREN study video on recent findings.
2023-08-04 16:52
Added link to SIREN study team video and new study publication.
2022-10-24 16:41
Added videos about the SIREN study.
2022-10-04 09:15
Added link to ‘Burden of SARS-CoV-2 infection in healthcare workers during second wave in England and impact of vaccines’.
2022-07-26 14:07
Added site contributors list.
2022-06-21 13:40
Added Study site list and link to ‘SIREN: Two years on’.
2022-06-20 17:16
First published.