Today@Dal

The Canadian Center for Vaccinology is in need of participants for a maternal RSV vaccine study.

What is the purpose of this study?

To test a new vaccine for pregnant women to protect their babies against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). This study is being done to make sure the RSV vaccine is safe and works well. When your body is exposed to the vaccine, we expect that your body will make even more antibodies that can fight RSV, which is called “boosting”. We expect that enough antibodies will reach your baby to help them fight RSV in their first months of life.

Who is eligible?

• Females aged 18 to 49-years-old with HIV infection and/or with pregnancy complications; and
• In your 24th to 36th week of pregnancy.

What will I have to do?

• If you take part in this study, you will get either the RSV vaccine or the placebo (an injection that is made of sugar and salt water and does not have the ingredient that may protect against RSV).
• The study team will contact you about once a month until you give birth and then at 6 months after birth to check on the health of you and your baby.
• Blood samples will be taken from you and your baby at different times throughout the study. These samples help the study team see whether your body is responding to the study vaccine.

If you are interested in participating in this study or would like to learn more, please contact Angi Perreault at angela.perreault@iwk.nshealth.ca.

For more information, visit: https://centerforvaccinology.ca/study/high-risk-maternal-rsv-study/