A clinical trial into a combined COVID-19 and seasonal influenza vaccination is currently underway in Newcastle.
The trial is being conducted by a team at the AIM Centre in Merewether and is testing the safety and immune response to the combination vaccine.
Currently the two vaccines are required to be taken at least two weeks apart.
The team are looking for healthy local adult volunteers aged between 50 and 70 years old, who have either received both doses of an approved COVID-19 vaccine or were previously infected with COVID-19 prior to July 30. Eligible participants will be compensated for their time and effort.
Co-Investigator Dr Sergio Diez Alvarez says the study is the first of its kind.
"That's what is so innovative about this trial, these two vaccines have not been combined in the past and we believe that this is going to be a very important step forward in trying to optimise vaccination strategies in the future.
"This is an amazing opportunity for Newcastle. It is cutting edge research in a field that is incredibly important for our wellbeing and the safety of our population and we are so excited to take part in this study," Dr Diez Alvarez said.
Participants will take part in the trial for around six months, where they will visit the AIM Centre about eight times. There are no placebos in the trial which means all participants will receive the investigational vaccine.
Dr Diez Alvarez says the reason there is no placebo is so they can ascertain how the different doses of the vaccine affects the immune system.
"This is done in the context of getting the best possible outcome for the very widely discussed aspect of booster vaccinations going forward into the next phase," Dr Diez Alvarez
Anyone who would like to take part can visit the AIM Centre website, or call the centre on 4963 2323.
