Immunisation studies

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The Pertussis (whooping cough) from Birth study would like to hear from Pregnant Women.

Whooping Cough - or Pertussis - is a highly contagious bacterial disease which affects the respiratory system and produces spasms of coughing that usually end in a high-pitched intake of breath, which is what is referred to as the “whoop”.

We need healthy babies up to five days old for a study looking at protecting newborns against Whooping Cough by giving the first dose of Pertussis vaccine at birth rather than the usual two months of age.

The purpose of this study is to see if we can protect newborn babies against Whooping Cough (Pertussis) by giving them the Pertussis vaccine earlier than 6 weeks of age, the time when it is normally given on the Childhood Immunisation Schedule.

STUDY STATUS: Currently recruiting.

Rotavirus Surveillance Study (2007 to 2009) in collaboration with the HDWA and PMH

Rotavirus is a type of virus that causes diarrhoea and vomiting in many young children. It can cause dehydration that may lead to hospital admission. If a child is sick enough to come to hospital then it is important to find out what may be causing the diarrhoea and vomiting. Normally a faeces sample is needed to find out if the illness is due to rotavirus, however sometimes it is not easy to get a sample. The virus may be present in the nose and throat, and therefore it would be easier to swab these areas for testing.

This study will see whether taking a nose or throat swab will detect rotavirus instead of getting a stool sample. If the swabs do detect rotavirus then it may be easier in the future to confirm if a child has rotavirus. As a rotavirus vaccine has been introduced on the immunisation schedule for infants up to 6 months of age this study will also help to see how well the vaccine is working.

STUDY STATUS: Currently recruiting. All parent's whose children are admitted to Princess Margaret Hospital with diarrhoea and vomiting will be invited to enrol their child in the study.

PAEDS Study (2007)

The Paediatric Active Enhanced Surveillance pilot study aims to test the value of hospital-based active surveillance for identifying and investigating childhood conditions of public health importance. Some childhood conditions of public health importance are difficult to adequately measure by current surveillance systems. In some case they rely on doctors reporting and in other cases there is no surveillance systems in place. Often there is a reluctance to provide the necessary biological samples for surveillance purposes.

This study aims to actively monitor four conditions in four tertiary paediatric hospitals in Perth, Melbourne, Sydney and Adelaide. The conditions being monitored are acute flaccid paralysis (AFP), a condition causing paralysis and loss of tone in one or more limbs; severe varicella (chicken pox) requiring hospitalisation; intussusception, a type of bowel obstruction in infants; and severe infantile seizures (fits) following vaccination.

STUDY STATUS: Ongoing.

Immunity of newborn babies - The Vaccine Study of Postnatal Immune development in Neonates (VSpin) Study (2005 to 2008)

Premature babies are more likely to acquire infections and to be admitted to hospital. We do not know why, although we suspect their ability to fight infection (their “immune system”) may be immature and unable to fight off the germs that cause these illnesses. By understanding how a baby’s immune system develop, we can decide the best time to give preterm babies their vaccinations and how we can prevent other infections. Many young children also develop allergic diseases such as asthma and eczema. It is not clear whether preterm babies are more or less likely to develop allergies. This study is looking at the development of the immune systems of term and preterm babies over the first two years of life and how this affects responses to vaccinations, frequency of infections and the risk of allergies. We are currently analysing the data we have so far received before we continue with any further recruitment.

STUDY STATUS: Recruitment Closed, Results Pending

Measles, Mumps Rubella Vaccine Study (2003 to 2004)

The study of the effects of the measles/mumps/rubella (MMR) vaccine on the immune system of healthy toddlers was completed in 2004. The study found that there was no evidence that the MMR vaccine affected the overall development of a child’s immune system. These important results should help reassure parents that the MMR vaccine does not overload the immune system and will help us design better vaccines in the future. The children from this study are now ready for their pre-school booster vaccinations.

We are currently involved in a follow-up study that is looking at why children develop redness and swelling at the injection site after their pre-school booster vaccinations for measles/mumps/rubella, and diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough and polio. We are also interested in how well these vaccines provide long-term protection from these diseases. We are inviting participants of the previous study to join in this important follow-up study.

STUDY STATUS: Completed.

The Dtap Study (2006 to 2008)This study is looking at why children develop redness and swelling at the injection site after they have their preschool booster vaccinations for diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough and polio (DTPa-IPV). The vaccine for measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) is also given at this time. Children who were previously involved in the VTG's study on the effects of the MMR vaccine on the development of the immune system of toddlers had started pre-school and were ready for their pre-school booster immunisations. These children were invited to participate in the DTPa-IPV pre-school study. The previous MMR study found no evidence that the MMR vaccine affected the development of the children's immune system. We also invited other children who were due for their 4 year booster vaccines to participate. 104 children took part in this study.

Data is now being evaluated and active recruitment has concluded. Information regarding immune status will be available in the near future. Participants will be notified of the results obtained.

STUDY STATUS: Completed