Women’s and Children’s Hospital • Vaccinology and Immunology Research Trials Unit (VIRTU)

Led by 2022 SA Australian of the Year Prof Helen Marshall AM, VIRTU is recognised nationally and internationally for conducting clinical trials to an excellent standard. The multidisciplinary group includes doctors, nurses, scientists and research staff who specialise in immunisation research. Clinical trials carried out within the unit include licensed vaccines, new vaccines and combination vaccines. VIRTU is part of the WCH, a facility of the Women's and Children's Health Network and is affiliated with the University of Adelaide.

VIRTU's vision is to optimise protection against vaccine preventable disease to reduce death and disability in children.

VIRTU conducts trials to develop safe and effective vaccines that can be introduced into the community to prevent many childhood diseases, leading to improvement in children's overall health and wellbeing. Doctors, nurses and scientists are collaborating and working hard in the fight against infectious diseases.

Preventative medicines such as vaccines are taken for granted today – they are all thanks to important research discoveries of the past. It is through vital research that major breakthroughs have occurred in preventing and eradicating debilitating diseases. Together we can make a difference in improving health for everyone.

Why participate in a trial?

Participants in clinical research trials can have an active role in improving their own and their children's health. In addition, participants are actively contributing to the health of others in the community.

The VIRTU team are nationally and internationally recognised experts in conducting clinical trials according to good clinical practice guidelines, particularly in the area of new vaccines and immunisation research. VIRTU research has included studies of vaccine-preventable disease incidence, community attitudes and expectations for the introduction of new vaccines, and monitoring the safety of vaccines. VIRTU collaborates with other vaccine trial units within Australia and is part of the National Immunisation Research Network, established in 2006.

Visit our Current Trials page to find out what trials are available.

If you participate in a research trial, you may be reimbursed for your travel and parking expenses.