Women’s and Children’s Hospital • VIRTU

Register to participate in future VIRTU studies

The Vaccinology and Immunology Research Trials Unit (VIRTU) at the Women’s and Children’s Hospital has been conducting vaccine, immunisation and infectious disease research for over 20 years.

You or your child can take part in these studies to make a difference to improving health for everyone.

If you are interested in participating in our research studies, you can register on our Trials Database for a team member to contact you to discuss current or upcoming trials for which you or your family members may be eligible.

Register online at https://redcap.link/virtufuturetrialsdatabase

Current Trials

We’re looking for mothers with healthy babies to participate in a study to find out how vaccines during pregnancy influence your baby’s immune system.

You and your infant may be eligible if:

You are an adult (18+) who is pregnant or who has recently given birth (less than 4 weeks ago) and
You either:
- did not receive any vaccinations during pregnancy, or
- received any approved vaccines during pregnancy

What’s involved?

A recruitment interview (in person or via phone) to determine eligibility of your infant
One study visit where a blood sample (5mL, about a teaspoon) will be collected from your infant
You will also be asked to collect a stool sample from your infant that can be mailed back to the study team by prepaid envelope

A $100 voucher will be provided at the study visit to compensate you for your time.

To find out more, please click on this link or contact the study team on (08) 8161 6328 or virtu@adelaide.edu.au and ask about VacciMum.

We are looking for children and young people to take part in a new study investigating the incidence of sore throats, and how we can best prevent them.

What will researchers investigate?

Taking part in the Sore Throat Study will help researchers learn more about:

How many children get sore throats
What is the most common cause of sore throat in children
How sore throats can change during different seasons of the year
How a vaccine could be used to prevent sore throats caused by Strep A bacteria

Who can take part?

Healthy children and young people aged 3 to 14 years will be invited to participate in this study.

What does the study involve?

If you and your child take part in this study, we will monitor your child’s health for 12 months. We will ask you to attend a minimum of 3 study visits, which can all be virtual. You will also be asked to provide samples such as blood and throat swabs.

If your child experiences signs or symptoms of sore throat, we will arrange additional visits.

Will I be reimbursed for my time or expenses?

Reasonable costs for your travel will be reimbursed.

For more information please visit https://redcap.link/sorethroatstudy or email sorethroatstudy@adelaide.edu.au.

Can your COVID-19 vaccination history help us find out when pregnant women should be vaccinated against COVID-19 to offer the best protection for their babies after birth?

Participants in the CAB study will be asked to visit the Women’s and Children’s Hospital three times:

One visit during pregnancy where a blood sample will be collected.
Two visits after your baby is born where a blood sample will be collected from your baby
- at 4-6 weeks of age
- at 6 months

You will be asked to provide a small sample of breast milk at the second visit.

To compensate you for your out of pocket expenses, you will be provided with a $50 voucher at each study visit.

To find out more, contact (08) 8161 6328 or virtu@adelaide.edu.au.

The purpose of this study is to provide the World Health Organization Collaborating Centre Reference and Research for Influenza in Melbourne with human blood samples collected before and after influenza immunisation. This study will measure the vaccine responses in Australian children, and how well the vaccine strains match what’s circulating out in the community as disease. Results from this study will provide recommendations for the formulation of 2024’s influenza vaccine.

Participation involves:

attending up to three clinic visits at the Women’s and Children’s Hospital
receiving licensed quadrivalent influenza vaccination
having 2 blood samples taken.

A $50 voucher will be provided at each study visit to compensate you for any costs associated with the study. An anaesthetic cream may be used to numb the area prior to blood collection.

If you and your child are interested in participating in this study, please e-mail virtu@adelaide.edu.au or, call VIRTU 08 8161 6328.

Are you:

An adult aged 50 or over interested in having a third booster dose?
An adult aged 18 or over who has not had a second booster dose?
A teenager aged 12–17 who is interested in having a first booster dose?

The Vaccinology and Immunology Research Trials Unit (VIRTU) at the Women’s and Children’s Hospital is investigating the most effective, long-term strategies for booster vaccinations to find out whether:

Immunity can be maximised by ‘mixing' vaccine booster types and how long this protection lasts.
How strategies may need to differ depending on age and previous COVID-19 vaccines.

For more information about PICOBOO, please email VIRTU@adelaide.edu.au or call Meredith Krieg on 8161 7349 or Arockia Sugantharaj on 8161 7452.

You can also fill in an Expression of interest form:

https://redcap.link/PICOBOOAdelaide

This study has been approved by the Child and Adolescent Human Research Ethics Committee. Any person with concerns or complaints about the conduct of this study should contact the Executive Director of Medical Services via [08 6456 2222] who can refer your concerns to the HREC monitoring the project.

Recruitment status: Currently recruiting