Research area: Infection, Immunity and Global Health > Vaccine and Immunisation Research Group (VIRGo)

Study overview

A pneumococcal vaccine designed to protect against 20 strains of pneumococcus is currently included in the National Immunisation Program.

The purpose of this study is to evaluate a new vaccine that aims to protect against 21 strains of pneumococcus, to more broadly protect children from severe pneumococcal disease.

The safety and ability of the new vaccine to promote a protective antibody response will be studied and compared to another pneumococcal vaccine.

The Vaccine and Immunisation Research Group (VIRGo)

VIRGo has been in place for over 20 years and has the largest and longest-standing child and adolescent vaccine research and clinical trials program in Australia. Our vaccine research provides evidence to inform the real-world delivery of vaccine programs to children and young people.

Information for participants

All places in the study have now been filled.

Participants in the study will receive a pneumococcal vaccine (either the 20- or the 21-valent) given as a four-dose regimen (given at two, four, and six months of age and booster dose at 12-15 months). All other vaccines on the National Immunisation Program will be given alongside the pneumococcal vaccine.

Ethics

All research in Australia involving humans is reviewed by an independent group of people called a Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC). The ethical aspects of this research study have been approved by the HREC of Child and Adolescent Health Service. The study has also received local governance authorisation at the Melbourne Children’s Campus (incorporating The Royal Children’s Hospital, Murdoch Children’s Research Institute and the University of Melbourne Department of Paediatrics). RCH HREC Reference Number: 108424.

Contact us

For further information, and to speak with our team, please contact us:

Vaccine and Immunisation Research Group (VIRGo)
Murdoch Children's Research Institute
The Royal Children's Hospital
50 Flemington Road
Parkville VIC 3052
Australia

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