Victorians from across Hume and Whittlesea who have not yet received their fourth COVID-19 vaccine booster shot are encouraged to take part in an ongoing study to inform future vaccine booster strategies in Australia and other countries which have used similar COVID-19 vaccines.
The Murdoch Children’s Research Institute (MCRI) and the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) are leading the study, which aims to assess whether a fourth COVID-19 vaccine dose provides an immunological benefit over a third dose especially in a setting of ongoing high SARS-CoV-2 community transmission.
Participants must be aged 18 years and older, live in Victoria and have received only three doses of any COVID-19 vaccine.
In the study, 400 participants will be randomly allocated to either receive a fourth COVID-19 vaccine dose (bivalent Moderna or Novavax), while 200 participants under the age of 60 can choose to not receive any additional vaccine and be part of the control group.
Participants will be monitored for up to 12 months and be provided with their antibody test results.
The study will involve the participants visiting the Royal Children’s Hospital in Melbourne for up to four blood tests, completing an online diary for seven days post vaccination and follow-up calls throughout the duration of the study.
As a token of appreciation, participants will be given a $20 gift voucher and parking/public transport reimbursement at each in-person visit.
MCRI study lead Professor Kim Mulholland said the findings will include crucial immune data on the advantages of boosting people with a particular type of COVID-19 vaccine, which would then guide ongoing vaccination and boosting strategies.
“All countries are struggling with the issue of how to avoid repeated cycles of COVID-19 infection,” he said.
“It is important to reduce the number of infections to prevent severe disease and to reduce the risk of long COVID.
“Our trial will specifically examine which vaccine booster type provides the best long-term immunity.
CEPI has provided funding for this trial with support from the global non-profit organisation PATH.
Details: www.mcri.edu.au/research/projects/covid19-fourth-dose-study or COVID.Booster@mcri.edu.au
