Vaccine being trialed could prevent seasonal flu for over 50s

A vaccine currently being studied may be able to prevent seasonal influenza (flu) for people aged 50 years and over.

Researchers at St Thomas’ Hospital in Westminster Bridge Road, Lambeth, are recruiting people to take part in the Fluent Trial.

Everyone taking part in the 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 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.

The clinical trial team will be on hand to support everyone who takes part in the trial. 

Moderna, the company which has developed the Fluent Trial programme, will reimburse participants for their trial-related time and expenses.

Dr Anna Goodman, a Consultant in Infectious Diseases and General Medicine and Principal Investigator for the Fluent Trial at Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust, 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.”

The Fluent Trial is a phase three 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 three trials evaluate the vaccine in a large group of people. The Fluent Trial is looking to recruit more than 56,000 people across Europe, North America and Asia.

To take part in this trial, visit: https://connect.trialscope.com/studies/268f4c2b-0203-4f50- 88c6-635daea41109

(Picture: National Institute for Health and Care Research)