Evaluating the Safety and Immune Response of an H7N7 Vaccine in Healthy Adults

Influenza A viruses are widely found in nature and can infect a wide variety of birds and mammals, including humans. Some types of influenza A viruses are more likely to spread from animals to humans, and researchers are interested in monitoring these viruses and developing potential vaccines for them. H7N7 is one type of influenza A virus. In recent years, there have been several H7N7 outbreaks among humans, and the development of an H7N7 vaccine is a high priority. This study will enroll two groups of participants: people who have previously received one of three types of a pandemic LAIV as part of a research study and people who have not previously received a LAIV vaccine. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the safety and immunogenicity of a single dose of an inactivated H7N7 vaccine in these two groups of participants.

At a baseline study visit, all participants will undergo a medical history review, physical examination, vital sign measurements, blood collection, and nasal secretion collection. Female participants will provide a urine sample for pregnancy testing. All participants will then receive one intramuscular (IM) injection of the H7N7 study vaccine in their upper arm. They will remain in the clinic for 30 minutes for observation and monitoring. Participants will monitor and record any adverse symptoms between study visits. Additional study visits will occur at Days 4, 7, 14, 28, 56, and 180. At select study visits, participants will undergo a medical history review, physical examination, and nasal secretion collection. Blood collection will occur at each visit; some blood samples may be stored for future research.

Inclusion criteria

• Previous participant in a study of pandemic LAIV or H7-naive participant, as described in the protocol
• Adult males and non-pregnant females between 18 and 50 years of age
• In good general health, without significant medical illness, physical examination findings, or significant laboratory abnormalities as determined by the investigator
• Agree to storage of blood specimens for future research
• Available for the duration of the trial
• Willing to participate in the study as evidenced by signing the informed consent document
• Female participants must agree to use effective birth control methods for the duration of the study. More information on this criterion can be found in the protocol.

Exclusion criteria

• Pregnant, as determined by a positive beta-human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) test
• Currently breastfeeding
• Evidence of clinically significant neurologic, cardiac, pulmonary, hepatic, rheumatologic, autoimmune, or renal disease by history, physical examination, and/or laboratory studies, including urine testing. Alanine transaminase (ALT) levels more than twice the upper limit of normal, or otherwise clinically significant as determined by the principal investigator (PI), will be exclusionary at baseline, prior to vaccination.
• Behavioral or cognitive impairment or psychiatric disease that in the opinion of the investigator affects the ability of the participant to understand and cooperate with the study protocol
• Previous enrollment in an inactivated H7N7 influenza vaccine trial
• Seropositive to the H7N7 influenza A virus (serum HAI titer greater than 1:8) for H7-naive participants
• Positive urine drug toxicity test indicating use of drugs of abuse
• Medical, occupational, or family problems as a result of alcohol or illicit drug use in the 12 months prior to study entry
• Other condition that in the opinion of the investigator would jeopardize the safety or rights of a participant in the trial or would render the participant unable to comply with the protocol
• History of anaphylaxis
• History of Guillain-Barre syndrome
• Positive ELISA and confirmatory Western blot tests for HIV-1
• Positive ELISA and confirmatory test (e.g., recombinant immunoblot assay [RIBA]) for hepatitis C virus (HCV)
• Positive hepatitis B virus surface antigen (HBsAg) by ELISA
• Known immunodeficiency syndrome
• Use of corticosteroids (excluding topical preparations) or immunosuppressive drugs within 30 days prior to vaccination
• Receipt of a live vaccine within 4 weeks or a killed vaccine within 2 weeks prior to study vaccination
• History of a surgical splenectomy
• Receipt of blood or blood-derived products (including immunoglobulin) within 6 months prior to study vaccination
• Travel to the Southern Hemisphere within 14 days prior to study vaccination
• Travel on a cruise ship within 14 days prior to study vaccination
• Current involvement with the poultry industry, i.e., direct contact with poultry within the 14 days prior to study entry or after the study completion
• Receipt of another investigational vaccine or drug within 30 days prior to study vaccination
• Allergy to eggs or egg products