Pneumo 2
What is the purpose of the study?
In the UK, two vaccines are used to protect against pneumococcus: PCV-13 (Prevenar 13®) and PPV-23 (Pneumovax 23®). PCV-13 protects against 13 strains and is routinely given to children under two, while PPV-23 protects against 23 strains and is routinely given to adults over 65.
Pneumococcal bacteria can be carried in the nose without symptoms (carriage). PCV-13 has been shown to prevent carriage from many strains, particularly in children, but PPV-23 has not.
Why are you looking at “vaccine escape”?
Some strains included in vaccines can still circulate and cause disease. This is sometimes described as vaccine escape. In this study, we will investigate vaccine escape using strain 3 one month after vaccination, and look at longer-term protection against pneumococcal carriage at six months.
How the trial works
This is a randomised controlled trial testing both vaccines against a placebo (saline injection). Volunteers are randomly allocated to receive a pneumococcal vaccine or placebo. The volunteers, scientists and clinical team do not know which option each person has received, and an unblinded team administers the vaccine or placebo.
Recruitment aim: 516 healthy adults aged 18–50.
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Join the team as a trial volunteer
Research into vaccines depends on people taking part in studies, so we can understand which vaccines work best. If you register your interest, we will send you information when a trial is recruiting.
