IPS/FVS-specific CD8+ T cells were able to reduce SARS-CoV-2 spread in vitro when exposed to a low virus concentration, which is supported by our finding that two out of two tested severe COVID-19 patients had clearly detectable IPS/FVS-specific CD8+ T cells, while the prevalence in healthy donors was 3 out of 37. Here, CD8A is linked to COVID-19.