The Vanderbilt Vaccine Research Program is looking for dozens of pregnant women to participate in research on the use of flu vaccine. The study will evaluate the immune responses to the influenza vaccine in both mother and infant. Vanderbilt is one of several sites in this National Institutes of Health study which will last through the 2010-11 flu season.While the flu shot has been found to be safe and is universally recommended for all pregnant women, many do not receive influenza vaccine. Only a few studies have shown how effective the flu vaccine may be in preventing influenza in the infant.

Influenza is a serious respiratory virus. Hospitalization and death rates from influenza are greater in high-risk populations, including pregnant women and young infants. However, lingering public concerns about safety, and a lack of evidence of transference of protection from mothers to unborn babies, are questions that need to be addressed.

Experts at the VVRP are enrolling 36 pregnant women. A total of 180 pregnant women will be enrolled at multiple sites across the country for a period of five to eight months. Women, 18 to 39 years, who are in their second or third trimester of pregnancy (14 to 33 weeks gestation) are eligible to take part in the study. Each woman will receive the seasonal flu vaccine, and have their blood drawn four times over a six-month period.

The study will be conducted at the Vanderbilt Health One Hundred Oaks location, in the Center for Women’s Health.