The UConn Center on Aging is teaming up with Jackson Laboratory to gain a better understanding of how the older adult immune system responds to two different types of pneumococcal pneumonia vaccines that are currently in use.
As part of the study, one of two FDA-approved vaccines is given to adults ages 65 and older and blood will be tested to learn more about how the immune system responds. The vaccine is randomly assigned. That means that there is an equal chance of getting Pneumovax 23 (Merck) or Prevnar 13 (Pfizer) in this study and the participant will be informed of which one was given, after the vaccination. A dose of the other vaccine will be given at no charge at an optional visit 1-2 years later. Learning more about immune response to these vaccines could possibly lead to the development of new vaccines that work better in older adults than those that are currently available.
There are six study visits. The first one will be a week before vaccination, then on the day of the vaccination, then the day after, then 10, 28 and 60 days after vaccination. Questions about health history will be asked and around 3 tablespoons of blood will be drawn at each visit (2 teaspoons on the day of the vaccine visit only). Volunteers will receive $50 for each visit attended for a total of $300, provided after Visit 6 as a check payable to cash. If you choose to receive the other vaccine at the optional Visit 7, 1-2 years later as part of this study, you will also receive a $50 check payable to cash after this visit.
To be eligible for the study, participants must never have received pneumococcal vaccine, have NO immunosuppressive diseases, heart disease, or known kidney disease, and must not be on any immunosuppressive therapy.
If you are interested in being screened for participation or have additional questions, please call (860) 679-2305. Leave your name, phone number and message and a member of the research team will return your call.
PI: George Kuchel, MD
IRB # 16-071J-1
For more information, contact: Lisa Kenyon-Pesce at Kenyon-pesce@uchc.edu