DRIVE Study (Recruitment Closed)
Introduction
The School of Public Health is inviting Hong Kong residents aged between 18-45 to join a study to examine to what extent repeated influenza vaccination can stimulate immunity against the strains in the current vaccine, compared to older strains from previous years. Participants will be randomly assigned by computer to different study groups and receive new-generation influenza vaccine or placebo (saline) every year. We will collect blood, nasal strip and other respiratory samples before and after the vaccination, and ask you some questions about the vaccine and administer study questionnaires at corresponding time points. The collected samples will be tested for influenza antibody levels and to assess immune responses to the seasonal flu shot. Participant will be provided complimentary basic blood test and will receive supermarket coupons at each scheduled visit to provide blood or respiratory specimens.
The vaccine used in our study is a recombinant quadrivalent influenza vaccine (Flublok®, Sanofi Pasteur). It has been approved by the USFDA and is expected to be introduced to the market in Hong Kong soon. Compared with the current standard dose influenza vaccine widely used in Hong Kong which uses egg-grown virus to match vaccine, the Flublok® uses a cell culture approach which provides better matched virus for flu vaccine. On the one hand, the proportion of adverse reactions is relatively low, and the mutation produced during the production is also slightly less which makes the vaccine hemagglutinin (HA) closer to the circulating strains of the season. On the other hand, since eggs are not used in the production process, the production time can be reduced by several weeks, and the production is not limited to the number of available eggs. This method can therefore produce more vaccines faster and respond more effectively to flu outbreaks and even pandemics.
Study Procedure
  • This trial will take place over four years (2021-2025)
  • Participant will be randomly assigned by computer to different study group and received new influenza vaccine or salt water “placebo” every year
  • We will collect blood and nasal strip sample before and after the vaccination, and ask you some follow-up questions about the flu shot. The collected samples will be tested for influenza antibody levels and assessing immune responses to the seasonal flu shot
Benefits of participating
  • No cost will be incurred for joining this study
  • Participant will be provided a one-off free blood test, such as COVID-19 antibody test
  • At the end of the 4th year, a free influenza vaccination
  • Participants will receive supermarket coupons at each visit for blood or nasal strip samples
How do I participate in this study?
  • Please answer a few questions with the link below and provide your contact information for us to assess your eligibility for the study. We will contact you according to your preference to provide detailed information about the study and obtain your informed consent to participate in the study.
  • Or contact us in the following ways.
  • We will keep your information, including your contact details, your personal information, or any laboratory testing results strictly confidential in accordance with the University of Hong Kong Privacy Policy Statement. For more details, please click here.
Contact information of the study team
  1. Study name: DRIVE Study
  1. Telephone / Whatsapp / Signal: +852 9176-3586
Do you have a few minutes to answer the questions below and provide your contact information to allow us to assess your eligibility?
  • Are you resident in Hong Kong in the coming 2 years?
  • Are you between 18 to 45 years old?
  • Title
  • Are you currently pregnant?
  • What is your current occupation?
  • Other occupation, please specify
  • Have you received the (winter) seasonal influenza vaccine within 24 months?
  • Appointment location and time
  • Location
  1. Sham Shui Po - G/F Lai Bo Garden, No. 383 Po On Road, Sham Shui Po, Kowloon
  1. Pokfulam – Sassoon Road
  1. Sai Wan – Hong Kong Plaza
  1. Tsuen Wan – Nam Fung Centre
  1. Yuen Long – Kwong Wah Plaza
  1. Tuen Mun – Parklane Square
  • Time
  1. AM: 10:00-13:00
  1. PM: 14:00-18:00
  1. NT: 19:00-21:00
Contact Information
Please provide the following information for the study team to contact you later
  • Name
  • Telephone/Whatsapp
  • (Optional) Email
  • (Optional) WeChat ID
  • Via which of the above means would you prefer us to contact you?

After filling in, please confirm to submit

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