• Project status: Active
child eating

The number of children diagnosed with food allergies has risen greatly in Australia and around the world in the last 20 years

The OPTIMUM Study is looking to determine whether one dose of ‘whole cell’ pertussis (whooping cough) vaccine given at two months of age instead of the current ‘acellular’ pertussis vaccine can help protect young children against allergic outcomes.

The OPTIMUM Study is looking to determine whether one dose of ‘whole cell’ pertussis (whooping cough) vaccine given at two months of age instead of the current ‘acellular’ pertussis vaccine can help protect young children against allergic...

The OPTIMUM Study is looking to determine whether one dose of ‘whole cell’ pertussis (whooping cough) vaccine given at two months of age instead of the current ‘acellular’ pertussis vaccine can help protect young children against allergic outcomes.

Overview

The number of children diagnosed with food allergies has risen in Australia and around the world in the last 20 years. There are many factors currently being investigated that may contribute to why so many more children have food allergies.

The OPTIMUM Study is looking to determine whether one dose of ‘whole cell’ pertussis (whooping cough) vaccine given at two months of age instead of the current ‘acellular’ pertussis vaccine can help protect young children against allergic outcomes.

Information for participants

Who can take part

  • Healthy babies aged 6-12 weeks of age (born after 32 weeks gestation)
  • Living in Greater Melbourne, Victoria and Greater Sydney, New South Wales, Greater Perth, Western Australia

Who cannot participate

  • Babies who have already received their 6-8 week vaccines
  • Babies with other serious health issues
  • Babies where a food allergy has already been diagnosed

What happens in the study?

  • Participation will be for 18 months and will involve 3 study visits, including a free allergy test appointment at 1 year of age at The Royal Children’s Hospital, The Children's Hospital at Westmead or The Sydney Children's Hospital, Randwick or Perth Children’s Hospital
  • Families will also be asked to complete 5 short online questionnaires over the course of the study.

Get involved

Register for the OPTIMUM study below.

Register your interest

Contact us

OPTIMUM Study
Murdoch Children's Research Institute
The Royal Children's Hospital
50 Flemington Road
Parkville VIC 3052
Australia

Anna Bourke
Phone: show phone number
Email: 

child in hospital

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