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Women’s and Children’s Hospital
Acknowledgement
The Women's and Children's Hospital is located on the traditional lands for the Kaurna people, and we respect their spiritual relationship with their Country. We also acknowledge that the Kaurna people are the custodians of the Adelaide region, and that their cultural and heritage beliefs are still as important to the living Kaurna people today.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people should be aware that this website may contain images, voices and names of people who have passed away.

VIRTU – Current Trials

If you are interested in taking part in one of our current clinical trials, please call (08) 8161 6328 for further information.

Current Trials

CAB study: for pregnant women and their newborn babies

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.

Influenza Vaccine Study for Children

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.

Whooping Cough Vaccine Study using a nasal spray

We are looking for school aged children 6 to 17 years to take part in a clinical research study looking at the effectiveness of an experimental pertussis (whooping cough) vaccine, given as a fine spray into the nose.

The study will compare the experimental vaccine with a licensed vaccine (BoostrixTM) that protects against tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis.

Participation will last for about 6 months and will include visits to the clinic and telephone calls to check your health.

Reimbursement will be provided for travel and for your time.

To find out more and check if your child is eligible to participate, please contact Donna Martin or visit http://supertrial.net

Email: virtu@adelaide.edu.au

Phone: (08) 8161 6328

FluBub Study

Do you have a new baby who is yet to receive their first scheduled vaccinations?

The Women’s and Children’s Hospital and University of Adelaide are looking for healthy mums and their young babies to take part in an important study aiming to give young babies vital protection against Influenza.

Babies are at risk of life-threatening complications from influenza. The FluBub study will investigate whether giving babies the influenza vaccine, licensed and recommended from 6 months of age, earlier will provide much-needed protection from influenza.

If you have a new baby who is yet to receive their first scheduled vaccinations, we would love to hear from you. To find out more contact virtu@adelaide.edu.au or call Donna Martin on 8161 6328.

Recruitment status: Currently recruiting

PICOBOO: COVID-19 Vaccine Boosting

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:

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

Paediatric Active Enhanced Disease Surveillance (PAEDS)

Description: Hospital-based active surveillance for childhood conditions of public health importance.

Age group: 0–18 years

Maternal Vaccination Uptake

Description: Maternal vaccination uptake in women who deliver at the Women's and Children's Hospital: a medical case note audit.

Age group: Women who delivered in August 2016

Recruitment status: Currently recruiting