Researchers at Newcastle Hospitals are recruiting people to take part in the Fluent Trial to see if an investigational vaccine (a vaccine that is being studied) may be able to prevent seasonal influenza (flu) for people 50 years of age or older. The investigational vaccine will be compared to a vaccine that is already approved for use.
The Fluent Trial is a Phase 3 clinical trial. This is the last phase before an investigational vaccine can be made available for public use (after approval from the UK Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency). Phase 3 trials, like the Fluent Trial, evaluate the investigational vaccine in a large group of people.
Everyone taking part in the Fluent Trial will receive a vaccine against seasonal flu. This will either be the investigational vaccine or a separate flu vaccine that is already approved for use. People who do not qualify for an NHS flu vaccine, may still be eligible to receive either an investigational or commercially available flu vaccine in the Fluent Trial.
People taking part in the Fluent Trial must be 50 years of age or older, in good health and not have had seasonal flu within six months of starting the trial. More information is available from the Fluent Trial team by calling 0191 28 26541.
The clinical trial team will be on hand to support everyone who takes part in the trial. They will also make sure that participants understand the important details about the trial before agreeing to take part. This is called informed consent and includes what the trial involves and any risks.
Moderna, the company who has developed the investigational vaccine and the Fluent Trial programme, will reimburse participants for their trial-related time and expenses, for example, travel.
Dr Ashley Price, infectious diseases consultant and principal investigator (PI) of the trial at the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle said, “Research into potential vaccines that may protect older people against seasonal flu is important. If effective, these vaccines offer one of the most successful ways we can both lower the risk of serious flu-related illness and help reduce the pressure on health and social care services during the winter.”
Further information
References:
- Annual flu programme. UK Health Security Agency. Accessed May 28, 2024. https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/annual-flu-programme
- Norovirus and flu cases in hospitals surge to a new high this winter. NHS England. Published February 1, 2024. Accessed May 28, 2024. https://www.england.nhs.uk/2024/02/norovirus-and-flu-cases-in-hospitals-surge-to-a-new-high-this-winter/
RVI Clinical Research Facility infectious diseases research team
0191 28 26541
