Repeated enhanced flu vaccines to boost immunity in older adults
Official title: REINVIGORATE: Repeated Enhanced INfluenza Vaccines In Geriatrics of a Randomised trial for Antibody and T cell Effects
Funded at University of Melbourne · NIH-11389336 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Older adults will receive different enhanced flu vaccines over time to see if repeated vaccination makes their antibodies and T‑cells stronger and more protective.
Quick facts
| Grant type | U01 cooperative agreement |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Melbourne NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Melbourne, Australia) |
| Project start | April 11, 2024 |
| Project end | March 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $355,813 |
| NIH project number | 5U01AI180165-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11389336 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Older adults who are eligible for routine flu vaccination and willing to attend clinic visits and provide blood samples are the best candidates.
✕Less likely to help
Children, younger adults, or people who cannot receive influenza vaccines due to medical contraindications would not be eligible and are unlikely to benefit directly from participation.
What this research studies
You would join a program where older adults are randomly given standard or enhanced flu vaccines (for example high‑dose, adjuvanted, or HA‑only formulations) over multiple seasons. Researchers will take blood samples over time to measure antibody levels, antibody quality, and T‑cell responses. The team will compare how different vaccine combinations and repeated boosting change immune memory and protection. Lab experiments will also grow virus with participants' sera to study how antibodies shape viral changes.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could guide better vaccine choices or schedules that give older adults stronger and longer‑lasting protection from influenza.
How similar studies have gone: Previous trials show enhanced vaccines like high‑dose or adjuvanted formulations can improve immune responses in older adults, but the best combinations and long‑term effects of repeated boosting remain unclear.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Melbourne
Melbourne, Australia Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Doak, Sophie Alessandra Valkenburg — University of Melbourne
- Study coordinator: Doak, Sophie Alessandra Valkenburg
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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.