T-cell And General Immune Response to Seasonal Influenza Vaccine (SLVP018) Year 5, 2013

The investigators plan to study the immune response to different influenza vaccines much more broadly and deeply across different age groups and with different vaccine modalities and to probe the influence of genetics on these responses using monozygotic and dizygotic twins. The investigators plan to compare various immunological responses, identify age-specific biomarkers or clusters of markers, quantify the frequency of influenza-specific T-cells pre- and post-vaccination, and determine the effective breadth of T-cell repertoire to an influenza vaccine within an individual as a function of age and to what degree this is genetically determined.

The study will be conducted in healthy young identical and fraternal 1-8 year-old twins. All participants will be immunized with seasonal trivalent inactivated influenza vaccine (IIV3). Blood samples to conduct the assays described will be taken at pre-immunization, Days 6-8 and 28 post-immunization for children requiring 1 dose of vaccine. For children requiring 2 doses of vaccine, a second immunization will be given at least 28 days after Dose 1 with responses measured on Day 6-8 and Day 28-32 post-second immunization.

Children 35 months and under will receive Fluzone® standard IIV3 Pediatric Dose, while children 36 months and older will receive Fluzone® standard IIV3.

Inclusion criteria

• Otherwise healthy, twin children age 1-8 years (identical or fraternal twin pairs)
• Parent willing to sign the informed consent form and child willing to sign assent if indicated.
• Availability for follow-up for the planned duration of the study at least 28 days after last immunization.
• Acceptable relevant medical history and vital signs.

Exclusion criteria

• Prior off-study vaccination with trivalent inactivated influenza vaccine (IIV3) or live attenuated influenza vaccine (LAIV) in Fall 2013
• Allergy to egg or egg products, or to vaccine components or thimerosal (if IIV3 multidose vials used)
• Life-threatening reactions to previous influenza vaccinations
• Active systemic or serious concurrent illness, including febrile illness on the day of vaccination
• History of immunodeficiency (including HIV infection)
• Known or suspected impairment of immunologic function, including, but not limited to, clinically significant liver disease, diabetes mellitus treated with insulin, moderate to severe renal disease or any other chronic disorder which, in the opinion of the investigator, might jeopardize volunteer safety or compliance with the protocol.
• Chronic Hepatitis B or C
• Recent or current use of immunosuppressive medication, including glucocorticoids (corticosteroid nasal sprays, topical steroids are permissible). History of any cancer.
• Autoimmune disease including rheumatoid arthritis treated with immunosuppressive medication such as Plaquenil, methotrexate, prednisone, Enbrel) which, in the opinion of the investigator, might jeopardize volunteer safety or compliance with the protocol.
• History of blood dyscrasias, or hemoglobinopathies requiring regular medical follow up or hospitalization during the preceding year
• Use of any anti-coagulation medication such as Coumadin or Lovenox, or anti-platelet agents such as aspirin.
• Receipt of blood or blood products within the past 6 months or planned receipt of blood products prior to completion of study visits.
• Medical or psychiatric condition or occupational responsibilities that preclude participant compliance with the protocol
• Receipt of inactivated vaccine 14 days prior to enrollment, or planned non-study vaccination prior to completion of Visit 03 or 04 (~Day 28 after the last study vaccination)
• Receipt of a live, attenuated vaccine within 30 days prior to first vaccination, or planned immunization with a live, attenuated vaccine before completion of study visits (inform study staff of any non-study vaccinations received during the study period).
• Need for allergy immunization (that cannot be postponed) during the study period.
• History of Guillain-Barre Syndrome
• Use of investigational agents within 30 days prior to enrollment or planned use of investigational agents prior to completion of study visits.
• Any condition which, in the opinion of the investigator, might interfere with volunteer safety, study objectives or the ability of the participant to understand or comply with the study protocol.