Grant: Foundation Grant

The primary goal of my research program is to advance knowledge about the prevention and management of influenza. I will achieve this goal by undertaking analyses using banked specimens and data from randomized trials that I have conducted the Hutterite community, conducting a longitudinal study in this community, and conduct two randomized controlled trials. The primary objectives of my research program are to gain a comprehensive understanding of the impact of the annual administration of influenza vaccine on the prevention of influenza and its complications. The proposed Foundation Grant builds on a research program that I have developed over the past 15 years on the prevention of influenza and other respiratory infections, largely on studies conducted in the Hutterite community. The specific study aims focus on influenza vaccination. The effect of prior year (s) vaccination on current year vaccine protection is uncertain. The effect of repeated live attenuated influenza vaccination (LAIV) in children is uncertain, where vaccine efficacy (VE) may decline. The impact on herd protection of such repeated vaccination in children is unknown. Although theories have been proposed to explain year to year variability in influenza VE, these have not tested in long-term epidemiologic studies. Identification of clinically useful biomarkers to predict infection, the effect of influenza vaccination on preventing pneumococcal infection in children, the effect of influenza vaccine on reducing myocardial infarction and stroke, and therapy with the anti-viral medication oseltamivir to reduce influenza complications will be assessed. My research program will provide clear results to these questions. Given that > 500 million people receive influenza vaccine annually, this research will have major implications both in Canada and globally.