Study to test pandemic influenza immunity
Media Release
4 November 2009
Study to test pandemic influenza immunity
A study investigating the level of immunity New Zealanders have to pandemic influenza (H1N1) will get underway this month.
Blood samples will be taken from 2500 people to see who has been exposed to pandemic influenza and developed immunity to it.
This information will be used to establish how many people are still at risk of contracting the illness.
The study is being undertaken by Environmental Science and Research (ESR) on behalf of the Ministry of Health,
Director of Public Health, Dr Mark Jacobs, says the health sector needs to find out what proportion of the population has already developed immunity to the virus so it can plan more effectively for a possible second pandemic wave.
“We know that many people had a mild to moderate illness as a result of pandemic influenza this winter, but we need to get a clearer picture of the general level of immunity and how many people are still at risk. This is because the smaller the proportion of New Zealanders infected so far, the higher the chance of a significant second wave happening in the future.
“This is an important study. We hope people will agree to take part in it if they are asked to do so,” says Dr Jacobs. “And people who take part will of course get to find out their own test result”.
A two week pilot study is expected to begin within the next few days at a single practice in the Hutt Valley. It will be followed by a nationwide study that will run from later in November until March next year.
People randomly selected from participating general practices throughout the country will be asked to take part.
The final report is expected in May.
Questions and Answers
Why is this
study necessary?
Health authorities need to find out how
many New Zealanders have already developed immunity to
pandemic influenza (H1N1) 09 to plan what to do in the event
of a second pandemic wave. It is important to find out the
extent of infection so that plans for vaccination and
anti-viral treatment can be made.
What will the study
look at?
The study will look at the prevalence of
antibodies (immunity) in the population as a whole, and in
groups that may be targeted for specific health
interventions, including frontline health workers, Maori and
Pacific populations and younger age groups. We know that
many people have already been exposed to the virus, and
having been infected will have developed immunity. Many of
these people will have been sick as a result of the
infection, but it’s likely that some people will have been
infected without even realising it.
What is involved in
the study?
People taking part in the study will be asked
to fill in a brief questionnaire about their own health,
particularly in relation to influenza-like illnesses.
They will then be contacted by the general practice and
asked to have a blood test. This involves going to either
their GP or a medical laboratory to have a small sample of
blood taken.
Who can take part?
People will be
selected at random from the registers of participating
general practices and asked to take part in the study.
Infants and young people aged under 16 years need consent
from their parents or guardians if they wish to take part.
Can I ask to take part?
No. Participants will be
chosen randomly from the registers of carefully selected
general practices to provide a representative sample of the
New Zealand population.
Do I have to take part if I am
asked to?
No. Participation in the study is voluntary.
There will be no cost to take part, and participants will be
given a $10 grocery voucher in recognition of their help
with the study.
What happens to the blood sample?
The
blood sample will be sent to the Environmental Science and
Research (ESR) National Influenza Centre at Wallaceville,
Upper Hutt. The sample will be tested for evidence of
exposure to pandemic influenza (H1N1) 09. Each sample is
stored under a special code so participants cannot be
identified. The samples will be stored for up to 10 years.
Blood samples may have influenza-related retests during the
storage period. All blood samples will be appropriately
disposed of after 10 years.
Will people taking part
be told the results of their blood test?
Yes. Individual
results are confidential and will be provided to
participants by the GP. GPs will receive test results within
20 working days of a sample being taken.
Will the
identity of participants remain confidential?
Participants will be asked to supply contact information
including their name, aged, name, sex and home address so
they can be contacted and given their test results. The
study reports will contain nothing that can identify
individuals who took part. All study records are
confidential and will be stored securely. Information will
only be accessed by researchers working on the study.
Will the results of the study be made public?
Overall
results of the study will be provided to health authorities,
published in medical journals and made available to the
local
community.
ENDS