Serological and virological surveillance of influenza in older adults
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Serological change following influenza vaccination and respiratory infection in an English sentinel network: cohort feasibility study
IRAS ID
270542
Contact name
Simon de Lusignan
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Oxford / Clinical Trials and Research Governance
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 8 months, 4 days
Research summary
Influenza is a highly infectious disease that can cause complications in the elderly. Currently, the national flu immunisation programme has recommended three vaccines that are equally suitable for use in any persons 65 years and over. These include the adjuvanted trivalent influenza vaccine (aTIV), the newly licenced cell-based quadrivalent influenza vaccine (QIVc), and high dose trivalent influenza vaccine (TIV-HD), though TIV-HD is not reimbursable on NHS at present. The national flu immunisation programme has also recommended the use of QIVc and egg-grown quadrivalent influenza vaccine (QIVe) as equally suitable for use in persons aged 18 to 64 years of age in clinical risk groups.
A literature search has failed to identify any clinical trials that compare the effectiveness of QIVc and QIVe. Additionally, it is not known whether aTIV is more effective than QIVc in the elderly.
This study aims to collect blood samples from anyone aged 60 years and over who visits their general practice for their annual flu vaccine. If a participant consents, blood samples will be taken at 4 different time points which include before flu vaccination, 7 days, 28 days and 6 months after flu vaccination. This will provide information about the changes in the immune system at different time points before and after flu vaccination. All blood samples will be sent to Imperial College London laboratory for analysis. A subset of samples will be sent to Public Health England (PHE) laboratory where they will be tested for flu antibodies.
Additionally, participants will have the opportunity to self sample and provide nasal swabs if they develop flu-like symptoms after their flu vaccination. Participants will be provided with instructions, materials and pre-paid envelopes. All nasal swab samples will be sent to the Public Health England laboratory where it will be tested for the presence of flu. Participant samples will be linked to health surveillance data extracted from medical records.
REC name
London - Hampstead Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
19/LO/1576
Date of REC Opinion
31 Oct 2019
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion