Shiloh
Editor, Senior Moderator
Source: http://www.nzdoctor.co.nz/news?article=3be52445-33c0-4980-836b-ca6629d45101
MEDIA RELEASE
02 APRIL 2008
Aucklanders being recruited for New Zealand's largest flu clinical trial
Researchers have started recruiting in Auckland for one of the largest flu clinical trials ever conducted in Australia and New Zealand.
Auckland is taking part in the new study which is designed to gather further information on the effectiveness of a vaccine designed to protect against influenza.
There are four study centres in New Zealand participating (Auckland, Dunedin and Christchurch) along with numerous sites across Australia. Investigators aim to recruit a total of 7500 men and women aged between 18 and 64 (inclusive).
Auckland principal investigator Dr Rod Ellis-Pegler said influenza is a potentially serious yet under-reported medical condition.
Up to 20 per cent 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
?This trial is unusual in that we?re asking fit and healthy people 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,? Dr Rod Ellis-Pegler said.
The New Zealand Government provides free flu vaccine to people aged over 65 and those 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 programme.
Influenza is not the same as the 'common cold' and can last up to two weeks.
Flu is caused by a highly infectious influenza virus. Influenza 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 available mortality figures from the New Zealand Health Information Service, flu and pneumonia killed 412 people in 2001.
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 6 months
Women who are pregnant, breast-feeding or planning to become pregnant will not be eligible for the trial
MEDIA RELEASE
02 APRIL 2008
Aucklanders being recruited for New Zealand's largest flu clinical trial
Researchers have started recruiting in Auckland for one of the largest flu clinical trials ever conducted in Australia and New Zealand.
Auckland is taking part in the new study which is designed to gather further information on the effectiveness of a vaccine designed to protect against influenza.
There are four study centres in New Zealand participating (Auckland, Dunedin and Christchurch) along with numerous sites across Australia. Investigators aim to recruit a total of 7500 men and women aged between 18 and 64 (inclusive).
Auckland principal investigator Dr Rod Ellis-Pegler said influenza is a potentially serious yet under-reported medical condition.
Up to 20 per cent 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
?This trial is unusual in that we?re asking fit and healthy people 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,? Dr Rod Ellis-Pegler said.
The New Zealand Government provides free flu vaccine to people aged over 65 and those 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 programme.
Influenza is not the same as the 'common cold' and can last up to two weeks.
Flu is caused by a highly infectious influenza virus. Influenza 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 available mortality figures from the New Zealand Health Information Service, flu and pneumonia killed 412 people in 2001.
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 6 months
Women who are pregnant, breast-feeding or planning to become pregnant will not be eligible for the trial