The Vaccine Trials Group will be busier than ever in 2021, with a number of new studies due to get underway in the new year.
These include:
- NeXXstep Study - designed to further improve protection against pneumococcal disease in babies. The current vaccine approved and used in Australia, Prevenar13, covers 13 types of S. pneumoniae that causes pneumococcal disease, while the new study vaccine has the potential to cover an additional seven strains. This study will recruit approximately 1200 babies worldwide aged 6-16 weeks, and we will be inviting 20 participants to take part here in Perth.
- BOOST Study - similar to the current QUINTET meningococcal study, BOOST aims to evaluate the effectiveness of a potential new vaccine called MenABCWY that includes protection against the B strain of the disease. Researchers also hope to learn if the study vaccine may act as a booster dose for people who have previously received the MenACWY Menveo® vaccine. We will be looking for participants aged 15 - 25 who received one dose of the MenACWY vaccine four - six years ago.
- The MATISSE Study - contining our focus on respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), researchers will evaluate if giving a potential vaccine to pregnant women may help protect their newborn babies against infections caused by RSV. This study will involve up to 6900 pregnant women and their babies from eight different countries around the world. We will be inviting healthy women aged 18 - 49 years who are between 24 and 36 weeks pregnant to take part.
- RSV Medication Studies - put on hold due to COVID-19 in 2020, there are two studies planned for next year that will looking at potential medications to help treat and prevent RSV. The current medication, Synagis®, must be given as monthly injections over five months, where as the study medication has the potential to provide protection for the entire RSV winter season and will only need to be given once. A recruitment call-out will begin in early 2021.
To register your interest in our upcoming studies please email vtg@telethonkids.org.au