NZers For NZ’s Largest Flu Clinical Trial

MEDIA RELEASE
Date: March 20 2009

New Zealanders Recruited For New Zealand’s Largest Flu Clinical Trial

New Zealand researchers have started recruiting in Auckland, Christchurch and Dunedin for one of the largest flu clinical trials ever conducted in Australia and New Zealand.

Clinical studies and medical centres in the three areas are taking part in the new study, which is designed to gather further information on the effectiveness of a vaccine designed to protect against influenza.

Auckland Clinical Studies, Southern Clinical Trials in Christchurch and RMC Medical Research at Caversham Medical Centre in Dunedin are participating along with numerous sites across Australia. Investigators aim to recruit a total of 7500 men and women aged between 18 and 64 (inclusive).

Dr Rod Ellis-Pegler of Auckland Clinical Studies says influenza is a potentially serious yet under-reported medical condition.

Between 10 and 20% of the New Zealand population are infected with influenza each year. Of these up to 156,000 will consult a GP.[1]

In 2006 there were 652 hospital admissions for influenza in New Zealand, far higher than the 528 admissions in 2005 and 430 in 2004.[2]

Dr Simon Carson of Southern Clinical Trials says the trial is unusual in that fit and healthy people are being asked to be part of it.

Participants could be given either a vaccine or placebo (dummy medicine) and be asked to report influenza-like symptoms, should they suffer any.

The New Zealand Government provides free flu vaccine to people aged over 65, or others aged under 65 who are in certain 'at risk' groups.

Trial participants need to be under 65 years of age and not be eligible for the Government’s free vaccination program.

Influenza is not the same as the 'common cold' and can last up to two weeks. Influence is caused by a highly infectious influenza virus. It can cause fever, sneezing, severe headache, sore throat, aches and pains and general feelings of weakness.

If a person's natural defense system is suppressed, they may develop complications such as pneumonia which will require antibiotic treatment and possibly hospitalisation. Pneumonia is a serious condition that can cause death.
According to the latest confirmed mortality figures from the New Zealand Health Information Service, flu and pneumonia killed 465 people in 2004.

Flu spreads easily in droplets of moisture. The virus can live in the air for nearly one hour. Just being around someone who is coughing or sneezing is enough to contract influenza.

A person can be contagious before their symptoms become evident which adds to the spread of the disease. Peak season for flu is winter and an outbreak occurs most years.

People may be eligible to become part of this flu trial if they meet the following criteria:

• Aged between 18-64 years
• In good health
• Have not received a flu vaccination in the last six months

Women who are pregnant, breast-feeding or planning to become pregnant will not be eligible for the trial.

This will be the second year of a clinical trial which started in 2008. Professor Jim Reid of RMC Medical Research in Dunedin says investigators conducted a similarly-sized trial last year but because it was a mild flu season, more subjects are needed this year.

To find out more about the trial consumers can call 0800 262 385.

[Editor’s note: The 0800 information line contained in the following breakout box is for the use of consumers and may be published]

--

To find out more information about the trial,
or to enrol, please call the

Flu Vaccine Clinical Trial
Information Line on
0800 262 385

--

References:
1. 1. Jennings L, Huang Q S, Baker M et al 2001. Influenza surveillance and immunisation in New Zealand, 1990-1999 New Zealand Public Health Report 8: 9-11.
2. ESR 2006 Annual Surveillance Report – Notifiable and Other Diseases in New Zealand

ENDS

© Scoop Media