Our Studies
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Vaccine Trials Group
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Flu (influenza) vaccine studies
H1N5 (Avian Flu or Bird Flu) Study is recruiting healthy children aged between 3 years and 17 years. This research study will looked at the safety and how well the vaccine worked in producing protective antibodies against the H5N1 virus in children aged 3 to 17 years. This vaccine had already been studied in over 5000 adults and shown to be safe. The vaccine is licensed in the European Union for use in a pandemic situation in adult subjects.
Children's Western Australia Influenza Vaccine Effectiveness Study VTG in conjunction with the Health Department of WA are involved in a very exciting study to look at the effectiveness of the influenza vaccine in children under 5 years of age. Health Professionals involved in the study will be asking parents of children who present at their practice or participating hospital with an ‘influenza-like-illness’ eg a fever, chills, cough, sore throat, nasal congestion, and will be asked if they wish for their child to take part in the study. This will involve taking a nasal swab that will test for the influenza virus and answering a short questionnaire. All parents will receive a follow up phone call to inform them of their child’s nasal swab result. If the study shows that the vaccine is effective in preventing the ’flu amongst children we hope that it will be recommended to be included on the routine immunisation schedule in all states and territories. STUDY STATUS: Recruitment Closed (2010) H1N1 Swine 'Flu Vaccine study for Children Influenza is a highly infectious disease caused by a virus and can be associated with serious complications including pneumonia. A new strain of the influenza virus emerged in Mexico and the United States early in 2009. This new strain is known as H1N1 and is thought to have originated from an Influenza virus that infects pigs. It is different to existing human influenza strains and the current influenza vaccine is not expected to offer any protection against this H1N1 Strain.A new experimental vaccine has been developed specifically against this new H1N1 ‘flu virus strain. The purpose of this study is to find out which dose produces the best immune response, and to also assess how safe this new vaccine is in children under 9 years. As the swine ‘flu outbreak only started in April 2009, this is the first time that this vaccine has been studied in children.
STUDY STATUS: Study Completed, results pending.
Adult Flu Efficcacy 18 years to 64 years inclusive. We are testing the effectiveness of an Australia 'flu vaccine when it is given to healthy adults aged 18 to 64 years. This is a continuation of the 2008 'Flu Busters Study. Each participant will receive either this years 'flu vaccine or a placebo. Throughout the study period (which is at least 6 months), we will ask participants to contact us if they develop any 'flu-like illnesses so that we can test for the 'flu and provide any treatment needed. STUDY STATUS: Study Completed, results pending.
Influenza Vaccine Study in 6 month to 17 year olds
Vaccination with a ‘flu vaccine is the most effective way to prevent ‘flu outbreaks in the community. Australia is considering introducing the Influenza vaccine for all children under 5 years. At the same time, this study aims to improve our knowledge of the safety of Fluvax® in children aged from 6 months to 17 years old. Information from this study will help future decisions on how best to use Fluvax® in children. What does the study involve? Each participant will be in the study for about 6 or 7 months. They will receive 1 or 2 doses of Fluvax®, depending on their age and how many doses of ‘flu vaccine they have had in the past. You will be asked to record certain reactions that might occur for 30 days following each vaccination.
STUDY STATUS: Study Completed, results pending.
Influenza Vaccine Efficacy Study (2008 ) 7,500 healthy men and women from around Australia and New Zealand took part in an Influenza Vaccine study that was to demonstrate how effective an Australian made 'flu vaccine works against the ’flu. The ‘flu is a highly infectious disease which is spread through coughing and sneezing. It is often considered a mild disease, slightly worse than a cold, but 'flu kills millions of people, including children, around the world. Symptoms include chills, sweating, headache, cough and generalised muscle and joint pains. The Vaccine Trials Group at the Telethon Institute for Child Health Research has enrolled 300 adults in this study. During the active study phase, participants received either a 'flu vaccine or placebo. If they experience any "Influenza-Like-Illnesses" during the 2008 'flu season they are being asked to see us at the centre for follow up tests.
STUDY STATUS: Completed for 2008
Avian Influenza Vaccine Studies (2006 to 2007)
The purpose of these research studies is to identify a vaccine that may prevent the spread of avian influenza or bird flu’ in the event of a pandemic and to determine which of two different formulations produce the best immune response. A low dose of this vaccine has already been tested in other Australian adults and is shown to be safe. There is no live virus in the vaccine which means there is no chance of catching the infection from the vaccination. Our study is looking at the effectiveness of two different doses of the vaccine to determine the optimal amount of vaccine required to provide effective protection against bird flu. This research was conducted in Perth, Melbourne and Adelaide and has involved children, adults and the elderly. We enrolled 87 children age 6 mths to 8 years, 150 adults and 91 senior citizens, the oldest being 86 years of age. STUDY STATUS: Completed.
Children’s Influenza Vaccine Study (2005 to 2006) In 2005, the VTG with colleagues in Melbourne studied the CSL influenza (flu) vaccine in children from aged 6 months to 9 years. We are pleased to report that the two doses of flu vaccine were well-tolerated (symptoms similar to other childhood vaccines) and produced excellent antibody responses even in the youngest children. The subjects completed their booster phase in June 2006 to see how long the protection lasts for. We hope this information will aid in the decision as to whether flu vaccine should be considered for all young children. This approach may also help reduce the spread of flu in the community as young children are usually the first age group to get infected and are most likely to spread the virus as they are contagious for longer. STUDY STATUS: Completed.
Elderly Influenza Vaccine Study (2005) The VTG was involved in an influenza vaccine study in the elderly at Fremantle Hospital in 2005. The aim of the study was to try and improve immune responses in the elderly and use less vaccine. A specially-prepared flu vaccine was given to some of the study participants under the skin while others were given the routine flu vaccine in the usual manner, injected into the muscle. Initial results of the study show that injecting the vaccine under the skin is safe and antibody results are promising. STUDY STATUS: Completed.
Last updated 14 November 2011
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