How new flu vaccines work in older adults over time
A deep longitudinal analysis of next generation influenza vaccines in older adults
This project compares immune responses to three different yearly flu vaccines in healthy adults aged 65 and older to learn why older people respond less well.
Quick facts
| Grant type | U01 cooperative agreement |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Jackson Laboratory NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Bar Harbor, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11238504 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
You would join a group of about 60 healthy adults aged 65 or older who will get a different licensed influenza vaccine each year for three years. At each visit you would receive the vaccine and give blood samples and other simple measurements so researchers can track immune changes over time. Scientists will use detailed lab tests, including cellular and molecular immune tests, to see which immune pathways turn on or off after vaccination. The goal is to pinpoint why older adults often make weaker responses so future vaccines can be improved.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Healthy adults aged 65 years or older who are willing to receive annual flu vaccines and provide blood samples over three consecutive years are ideal candidates.
Not a fit: People under age 65, those who cannot receive flu vaccines, or those with certain severe immune or medical conditions may not benefit from participating.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could help design or choose flu vaccines that protect older adults better.
How similar studies have performed: Previous work with high-dose and adjuvanted flu vaccines has sometimes improved immune responses in older adults, but many questions remain, making this detailed longitudinal approach relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
Bar Harbor, United States
- Jackson Laboratory — Bar Harbor, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Ucar, Duygu — Jackson Laboratory
- Study coordinator: Ucar, Duygu
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.