About the Study
Project PROTECTS is inviting 6,000 adults across the United States to help researchers better understand the short- and long-term effects of respiratory infections, including COVID-19, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and influenza A/B (flu). You can participate in this study from anywhere, using web-based surveys and at-home testing kits. The information participants share with us may inform public health strategies, testing, and treatment for respiratory infections.
This study builds on the CHASING COVID Cohort Study, which was launched in March 2020 and has provided a wealth of information about the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on households across America. Project PROTECTS is a collaboration between researchers at the City University of New York (CUNY) Institute for Implementation Science in Population Health (ISPH) and Pfizer.
Watch video to learn about the Project PROTECTS study
Who is eligible to join the Project PROTECTS study?
We are looking for a diverse group of people willing to share their unique perspectives. We can’t do it without you! If you:
Are 18 years or older
Live in a US state, DC, or Puerto Rico
Have a personal smartphone with a working camera
Have a personal email address
Have internet access
You may be eligible for the study!
How can I join the Project PROTECTS study?
If you are interested in participating in Project PROTECTS, please complete screening questions!
Why should I join the Project PROTECTS study?
As a Project PROTECTS participant, you can:
Contribute to advances in our understanding of the short- and long-term effects of COVID-19, RSV, and flu.
Receive free at-home tests for COVID-19, RSV, and flu A/B for use during the study.
Inform future public health strategies and interventions to mitigate the impacts of respiratory infections.
Inform testing and treatment for respiratory infections.
What is involved with the Project PROTECTS study?
As a Project PROTECTS participant, you will be asked to complete quarterly surveys about your daily life, health, experience with vaccines and medical treatments, and use of healthcare.
If you get sick, you may be asked to report on how you’re doing over multiple days so we can better understand the symptoms you’re experiencing and the impact of your illness on your daily life. You may also be asked to use at-home rapid tests for COVID-19, RSV, and flu and collect nasal swabs and saliva samples to mail in a pre-paid envelope back to the study team.
If you test positive for COVID-19, RSV, or flu A/B, you will be asked to complete additional surveys over the following six months to better understand any long-term impacts of infection on your health.
All study activities and instructions will be provided through a study-specific website or app that you can access on a computer, tablet, or mobile phone. Any information you share with us will be stored in a secure database that is only accessible to our study team. If you want, you can share your electronic health record with us so we can link your study information to it. You will be provided with the materials for all the testing and specimen collection activities at no cost to you. You may receive e-gift cards for completing certain study activities.
The study will last for 24 months (2 years), but you might finish the activities early.
Interested in becoming a participant in the Project PROTECTS study?