USC Clinical Trials will soon begin a blood sample trial on the Sunshine Coast in collaboration with pharmaceutical company Seqirus and the World Health Organisation (WHO).

Dr Stephanie Wallace will oversee the trial, which will provide the WHO’s Collaborating Centre for Influenza Reference and Research in Melbourne with human blood samples to assist with making a recommendation to the Australian Influenza Vaccine Committee regarding the formulation of the 2023 Southern Hemisphere influenza vaccine.

Dr Wallace said influenza viruses changed constantly, and the composition of influenza vaccines needed to be adjusted each year to protect against currently circulating viral strains.

She said blood samples collected in this study would be used to monitor the effectiveness of current influenza vaccines and to aid the development of future vaccines.

“During the COVID-19 pandemic, rates of influenza infection decreased significantly in Australia due to the effects of social distancing and travel restrictions,” she said. “As pandemic restrictions lift and borders re-open, we expect to see an increase in the number of influenza cases in Australia.”

USC Clinical Trials Director Lucas Litewka said this study represented an opportunity for the Sunshine Coast to contribute to the monitoring and development of effective influenza vaccines for the entire Southern Hemisphere.

“The study will be conducted at USC Clinical Trials’ Sunshine Coast clinic at Sippy Downs,” Mr Litewka said. “It requires participants who are at least 18 years of age, in generally good health, and who are intending to receive the 2022 influenza vaccine.”

Those who are eligible to participate in the study will be asked to give two blood samples – one before and one after receiving an influenza vaccine – approximately three weeks apart.

Two hundred participants in total will be enrolled at two sites including USC Clinical Trials, with eligible participants paid for the time involved.

Those interested in participating can find more information at www.usc.edu.au/trials