01/04/2023

Saint Louis University’s Center for Vaccine Development is participating in a clinical study for an investigational vaccine being developed against influenza developed by Pfizer, which is funding this research. 

While there are licensed vaccines and treatments for influenza, the current vaccines are only about 50% effective. Vaccines which offer greater protection and are easier to manufacture are needed.   

Sarah George, M.D., professor of infectious diseases at SLU School of Medicine and a researcher in SLU’s Vaccine Center, will assist in studying whether the vaccine induces the body to make antibodies to influenza and protects from the flu.  

“It’s important to remember that influenza, or the flu, can be really serious, causing severe illness and even death,” George said. “It’s vital that we continue to work to develop even more effective vaccines that can protect all of us, especially the vulnerable, from this illness.” 

The phase 3 clinical trial is being conducted at over 200 sites in the United States, including Saint Louis University. SLU researchers are recruiting around 100 healthy adults over 65 years of age who have not had a flu vaccine in the past 6 months. Overall, the study will recruit 36,200 volunteers and will last about a year.  Each volunteer will have at least 3 study visits.   

To learn more about vaccine research being conducted at Saint Louis University, call 314-977-6333 or email vaccine@slu.edu. For more information on this study, please visit the ClinicalTrials.gov website link here. 

Established in 1836, Saint Louis University School of Medicine has the distinction of awarding the first medical degree west of the Mississippi River. The school educates physicians and biomedical scientists, conducts medical research, and provides health care on a local, national and international level. Research at the school seeks new cures and treatments in five key areas: infectious disease, liver disease, cancer, heart/lung disease, and aging and brain disorders.