NIH fights the Flu
Flu vaccine clinic for staff open Oct. 1
Looking for more ways to fight the flu? There are research studies working to improve immunizations and find better ways to protect people.
Healthy Volunteers: Study in Healthy Volunteers to Evaluate the Efficacy and Safety of CR6261 in an H1N1 Influenza Healthy Human Challenge Model
Researchers want to see if a new drug reduces flu disease in people treated with this drug versus a placebo. The drug has an antibody that may help the immune system fight the flu. The placebo is only sugar and water. All participants will get the flu virus. They may or may not develop flu symptoms.
Healthy Volunteers: Influenza HA Ferritin Vaccine, Alone or in Prime-Boost Regimens With an Influenza DNA Vaccine in Healthy Adults
Influenza is a very common infectious disease. Influenza is also called flu. Vaccines teach the body to prevent or fight an infection. When the body learns to fight an infection, this is called an immune response. Researchers want to develop a vaccine against flu. They want to test two new vaccines to help the body make an immune response to flu.
Clinical Center patients: Influenza in People With Normal and Weakened Immune Systems
This study will evaluate how the immune system responds to influenza infection and compare how the infection differs in patients with a weakened immune system versus those with a healthy immune system. Patients at the NIH Clinical Center who are older than 2 years of age and who are diagnosed with influenza A or B may be eligible for this study. Patients with healthy immune systems and weakened immune systems are included.
Clinical Center patients (who have completed a previous influenza challenge study): Long-term Observation of Hemagglutinin and Neuraminidase Inhibition Antibody Titers After Influenza Challenge
If you've completed a previous Laboratory of Infectious Diseases Clinical Studies Unit influenza challenge study and are willing to have samples stored for future research – this study's for you. Researchers want to learn more about how the body fights this virus. They want to study this in people who have recently been infected with influenza. They hope this can help them create more effective influenza vaccines.
The NIH Office of Research Services and the Clinical Center provided free flu shots from Oct. 1 through Nov. 9 to staff who had a valid NIH identification badge. In the first week, over 4,400 NIH staff received the flu vaccine. More than 3,800 of those vaccinated were staff that work in Building 10.
Getting immunized each year provides the best protection against influenza throughout the flu season. By receiving the flu shot, healthcare personnel can also reduce the risk of exposing patients to the influenza virus. All staff who have face-to-face patient contact, including both employees and contractors, are required to get the flu vaccine each year. For all other NIH staff, immunization with the flu vaccine is encouraged, but not required.
Opening early in the morning, the flu clinic is located on the east side of the 7th floor of the Clinical Research Center (CRC). Starting Oct. 9, off-campus sites will also provide free flu shots. Shady Grove, Bayview, Poolesville, Neuroscience Center, Fishers Lane and Rockledge locations are included on the schedule.
There are several clinics offered specifically for those who work nights and weekends. Clinic hours are scheduled in early mornings, evenings and on Saturdays at the CRC 7th Floor Atrium. Please check the schedule (http://www.ors.od.nih.gov/flu/Pages/vaccine_sched.aspx) for specific dates, times and directions.
To learn more about the high-dose flu shot, visit http://go.usa.gov/PAUY. For more information about availability and to find locations, visit foiltheflu.nih.gov or call (301) 496-2209. For directions to the 7th floor CRC clinic, visit www.takemethere.cc.nih.gov and search "Flu."
