Making flu vaccines that give longer-lasting immune protection
Programming Durable Immune Responses To Vaccination
Looking at whether mRNA flu vaccines help adults — including people over 65 — build stronger, longer-lasting immune protection.
Quick facts
| Grant type | U01 cooperative agreement |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Washington University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Saint Louis, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11260202 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
You would receive either an mRNA-based influenza vaccine or a conventional flu shot and return for follow-up visits over several months. Researchers will collect blood and may collect cells from lymph nodes and bone marrow to track how antibody-producing cells form and persist. They will compare immune responses between younger adults and people over 65 to see whether age affects the durability of protection. The team aims to identify what drives long-lived antibody responses and whether mRNA vaccines can overcome prior influenza immune imprinting.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults aged 21 and older, including people 65 and older, who are willing to receive a flu vaccine and provide blood and possible lymph node or bone marrow samples.
Not a fit: People under 21, those who cannot or will not receive vaccination, or those unwilling to undergo blood draws or tissue sampling may not be eligible or benefit.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to flu vaccines that protect people longer and work better in older adults.
How similar studies have performed: mRNA COVID-19 vaccine research has shown strong, lasting immune reactions in people, but using mRNA for influenza immunity is a newer approach still being tested.
Where this research is happening
Saint Louis, United States
- Washington University — Saint Louis, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Ellebedy, Ali Hassan — Washington University
- Study coordinator: Ellebedy, Ali Hassan
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.