Understanding why some older adults respond better to the flu vaccine than others
Official title: Uncovering latent factors underlying weak and robust responses to influenza vaccine in healthy and obese older adults
Funded at University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh · NIH-10870092 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how the flu vaccine works differently in older adults, especially comparing healthy individuals to those who are obese, to help find better ways to improve vaccine effectiveness for everyone.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Pittsburgh, United States) |
| Project start | July 13, 2022 |
| Project end | June 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $780,295 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AI170108-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-10870092 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are healthy and obese older adults who are 21 years or older.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are younger than 21 or those with severe immunocompromising conditions may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the differences in immune responses to the influenza vaccine among older adults, particularly focusing on those who are healthy versus those who are obese. By utilizing advanced molecular and genomic profiling techniques, the study aims to identify the cellular and molecular factors that contribute to varying levels of vaccine effectiveness. Participants will undergo screening to categorize them as extreme responders, which will help in understanding the underlying mechanisms of their immune responses. The findings could lead to improved vaccine strategies tailored to different populations.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective influenza vaccines specifically designed for older adults, enhancing their immune response and protection against the virus.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research using similar high-dimensional approaches has shown promise in understanding vaccine responses, indicating that this methodology could yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Alcorn, John F — University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh
- Study coordinator: Alcorn, John F
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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.