Lakeside Research is recruiting infant participants in immunisation research trial 

Lakeside Research is recruiting infant participants in an important research trial. The Corby-based team is asking parents of babies aged up to 12 months to consider signing them up for the HARMONIE Research Study, which looks at how strongly babies can be protected from serious illness due to RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus). 

RSV is a common seasonal virus that infects nearly all babies by their second birthday. Most of the time it causes a mild illness, like a cold. However, for some babies, it leads to more severe lung problems, such as bronchiolitis and pneumonia.  

Pictures of babies

This preventative antibody is the result of many years of research by Sanofi and AstaZeneca and has already been given to more than 3,000 babies. Now as many as 28,860 babies, from newborns to 12 months old are being invited to take part in further studies in the UK, France, and Germany. 

The study includes one visit to the study site when the antibody dose is given, then parents will be asked to complete a simple monthly diary entry at home for six months. Finally there will be a follow up telephone call with the research team 12 months after the study visit. Any child born after 31st December 2021 is eligible to take part. 

Infants will be randomly assigned to one of two groups. One group will receive the antibody by an injection into their thigh, while, in the other group, no injection will be given. 

Dr Amardeep Heer, the Director of Research and Innovation at Lakeside Research, said: ‘We would really appreciate the help of parents in the participation of their children in this study as RSV is an important cause of ill-health in children in their early years. This immunisation has already been administered in over 3000 infants and this study is an important part of the process towards developing an immunisation for all infants to prevent serious RSV infections.’ 

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Published: Sep 21, 2022

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