Creating a vaccine to protect infants from influenza
Development of vaccine approaches to elicit broadly protective influenza-specific immune responses in infants
This study is looking at a new vaccine to help protect babies under 6 months old from serious flu infections, aiming to find the best way to boost their immune response and keep them safe.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Wake Forest University Health Sciences NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Winston-Salem, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-10676747 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing a new vaccine approach aimed at infants, particularly those under 6 months old, who are at high risk for severe influenza infections. The study will explore how to enhance the immune response in this vulnerable age group by using a nonhuman primate model to test various vaccine strategies. Researchers will investigate the effectiveness of universal vaccines that can protect against multiple strains of influenza and how to stimulate the production of protective antibodies in newborns. The ultimate goal is to create a safe and effective vaccine that can be administered to neonates to prevent life-threatening influenza infections.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are infants under 6 months of age, particularly those who are at high risk for influenza-related complications.
Not a fit: Patients who are older than 6 months or those who do not have a high risk of severe influenza may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to a vaccine that significantly reduces the incidence of severe influenza in infants.
How similar studies have performed: While there have been advancements in vaccine development for older populations, this specific approach targeting neonates is relatively novel and has not been extensively tested.
Where this research is happening
Winston-Salem, United States
- Wake Forest University Health Sciences — Winston-Salem, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Alexander-Miller, Martha Ann — Wake Forest University Health Sciences
- Study coordinator: Alexander-Miller, Martha Ann
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.