The Murdoch Children’s Research Institute (MCRI) is conducting a research study to help develop a new vaccine to more broadly protect children from pneumococcal disease.
The investigational pneumococcal conjugate vaccine PCV21 is being compared to the currently licensed vaccine Prevnar 20 (also a pneumococcal conjugate vaccine) to assess its safety, tolerability, and effectiveness.
All participants will receive either the PCV21 vaccine or Prevnar 20, along with all required immunisations up to the age of 15 months.
Currently, Prevnar 13 is included in the nationally funded routine immunisation schedule; PCV21 vaccine aims to provide broader protection against pneumococcal disease caused by other serotypes.
To participate, children need to be healthy, up to two months of age and have not yet received their routine infant vaccines.
The study includes four doses of the study vaccine (two, four, six and 12-15 months of age) given alongside the routine infant vaccinations.
There are six study visits, and the total study duration is 19 months.
All study visits will be conducted either at The Royal Children’s Hospital or in the family’s home at no cost. Home visits will only be possible for interested families living within 10km of the hospital.
We invite doctors operating within the 10km radius of The Royal Children’s Hospital to share this opportunity with expectant mothers. Our recruitment period runs until July 2025.
For more information, please contact virgo@mcri.edu.au or click here for study information.
Disclaimer: This article was provided by Murdoch Children’s Research Institute. While every effort has been made to ensure the information is accurate, North Western Melbourne Primary Health Network does not warrant or represent the accuracy, currency and completeness of any information or material included within.
