A new study has shown for the first time that an experimental vaccine against Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) induces a stable and functional immune response in humans that persists for at least two years after a booster vaccination. The results mark an important step toward an effective MERS vaccine and strengthen the scientific basis for pandemic preparedness. The long-term clinical study was conducted by an international research team from the German Center for Infection Research (DZIF) and was funded by DZIF and the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI). The findings were published recently in the journal Nature Communications.