Severe Asthma Research Program    (SARP)
A National Institutes of Health/ National Heart, Lung & Blood Institutes
sponsored network

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Adults - Consent form

 

 

 

 

CONSENT TO ACT AS A PARTICIPANT IN A RESEARCH STUDY

 

STUDY TITLE:

 

A Phase II Study in Patients with Asthma to Assess the Safety and Immunogenicity of an Unadjuvanted Novartis H1N1 Influenza Vaccine Administered at Two Dose Levels (Protocol No. DAIT-AAIB-flu-001); Protocol Version 3.0; Consent Version 3A

 

PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR:            Sally E. Wenzel, MD

                                                          Professor of Medicine

                                                          University of Pittsburgh

                                                          3459 Fifth Avenue; MUH 931 NW

                                                          Pittsburgh, PA  15213

                                                          412-802-6859

                                                          412-958-7643 (pager)

 

SUB INVESTIGATORS:            Fernando Holguin, MD                Shean Aujla, MD

                                                University of Pittsburgh              Children’s Hospital

                                                412-692-2139                            412-692-5630

 

Andrej Petrov, MD                      Merritt Fajt, MD                         Chetan Naik, MD

412-648-6215                            412-692-7279                            412-692-2118

 

Danielle Goetz, MD                     Allyson Larkin, MD                      Chitra Rao, MD

412-692-5630                            412-692-2139                  412-958-3813 (pager)

 

 

STUDY COORDINATORS:        Cathy Vitari, RN                         Scott Simeone

                                                412-692-4373                            412-682-1769

 

Erin Aiken                                  Akilah Scott                               Tracey Dill

412-692-4747                            412-692-2937                            412-692-3154

 

Rebecca Wade                            Lisa Lane

412-647-0776                            412-692-2625

 

SOURCE OF SUPPORT:            National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases      The National Institutes of Health (NIH)

You are invited to participate in this study because you have asthma and this is a study of a “swine flu” vaccine in patients with asthma.

The influenza virus (a germ) causes influenza or "flu", an infection of your breathing tubes and your lungs.  Flu is a disease caused by different types of influenza viruses. Flu is spread from person-to-person mainly through coughing and sneezing.   When someone has the flu usually it includes a runny nose, cough, sore throat, headache and fever.  Each winter, the flu causes illness that often feels just like the “common cold”.  These illnesses, known as “seasonal flu”, cause an average of 20,000-40,000 deaths each year in the United States.  Usually the influenza viruses are similar from year-to-year.   

When the flu virus attacks your body, the immune system in your body makes proteins called antibodies that help your body fight the infection.  Later, if you are exposed to the flu, your antibodies will help attack and kill the virus.  You may not get sick at all, or you may have a much shorter or milder illness.

 

Three times in the past 100 years a new strain of influenza virus has appeared.  Because people had no protection to these new strains, the illnesses were more severe, death rates were high even in healthy young adults, and worldwide spread of infection occurred.  This worldwide spread is called a pandemic. 

In April 2009, a new type of flu was found to be spreading across North America and into many parts of the world to the extent that it was called a pandemic (worldwide spread).  This new virus is called 2009 H1N1 flu, or “swine flu”.  The vaccines for “seasonal flu” are not expected to protect people from the “swine flu”.  Therefore, a new vaccine specifically against the “swine flu” is needed.  Since vaccines against the common “seasonal flu” work well, it is thought that an effective vaccine against the 2009 H1N1 flu will help to control this pandemic.

Vaccines can help prevent infection and/or disease. Vaccines work by causing the body to make proteins called antibodies that fight infection.  When you receive the flu vaccine (sometimes called the flu shot or shots), your immune system makes antibodies against the flu virus. 

 

Why is this study being done?

The purpose of this study is to test a vaccine against the 2009 H1N1 virus in people who have asthma.  We would like to find out how safe the H1N1 flu shot is in people who have asthma and how well the body can react to the vaccine and develop antibodies against the H1N1 flu virus.  This study will also look at the differences between people who have mild/moderate asthma and those who have severe asthma after receiving the H1N1 flu shot.  Studies with this vaccine in people without asthma have already begun.  

 

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved this vaccine to be used as a single dose and a single strength.  In this study, subjects will be given two (2) doses of the vaccine either at the approved dose or at double the approved dose. This is because of the possibility that asthma patients on high dose inhaled or oral steroid medications may need higher doses of the vaccine to get a good response. The results of this study will help researchers find out if the different strengths of the H1N1 flu shot make your body produce H1N1 antibodies that are better at fighting H1N1 flu. 

 

In this study, 2 strengths of the H1N1 flu shot (given about 3 weeks apart) will be tested.  The results of this study will help researchers find out if the different strengths of the H1N1 flu shot make your body produce H1N1 antibodies that are better at fighting H1N1 flu. 

 

You have been asked to join this study because you are at least 12 years old, male, or female who is not pregnant and you have asthma.  Also, you are asked to join because you are able to comply with the study procedures and able to give informed consent.  Women who are able to get pregnant must agree to use an effective method of birth control from the beginning of the study until 30 days after the second H1N1 flu shot.

 

You cannot take part in this study if you are allergic to eggs or any of the ingredients in the vaccine.  If you have had any vaccines in the last 2 to 4 weeks may not able be a part of this study.  You may not participate in this research study if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. 

 

If you have a history of Guillain Barre Syndrome or have some other chronic diseases other than asthma you cannot participate in this study.  Depending on your smoking history you may not be able to participate in this study. Also, you may be taking certain medications that may not allow you to be in this study.  We will let you know.

 

Who is being asked to participate in this research study?

About 350, and up to 400 asthmatic subjects will be asked to take part in this study at up to 7 different study centers in the United States.  The University of Pittsburgh will enroll approximately 80 subjects over a 4 week period. 

 

What procedures are being performed for research purposes?

You will be in this study for about 7 months for a total of 10 study visits (these include 5 phone calls and 5 clinic visits).  During the first 1.5 months (6 weeks), you will have 5 study visits including 5 blood draws.  You will receive H1N1 flu shots about 21 days (3 weeks) apart during 2 short clinic visits. You will also have 2 follow-up clinic visits about a week after each shot visit and 1 follow-up clinic visit about 3 weeks after the second shot visit.  Study personnel will also call you about 1 to 3 days after each shot visit to check on any reactions or illnesses you may have had since your last visit.  After that, study personnel will call you about 2, 4, and 6 months after the second H1N1 flu shot  visit (3, 5, and 7 months after the first H1N1 flu shot visit) to check on any reactions or illnesses you may have had since your last visit or telephone call.  If you experienced any reactions or illnesses, the study doctor may ask that you come back to the study center.

 

If you agree to take part in the study and qualify you will be assigned to one of two different vaccine strength groups.  You cannot choose to which group you will be assigned.  You will have an equal chance of being assigned randomly (like flipping a coin) to either receive the 15 microgram (mcg) strength of the H1N1 vaccine or the 30 mcg strength of the H1N1 vaccine.  Half of the people in this study will receive the 15 mcg strength of the H1N1 vaccine and the other half the 30 mcg strength. Those people in the study who will be in the 15 mcg group will get one injection of the vaccine at Visit 1 and one injection at Visit 3 (about 3 weeks apart).  Those people who will be in the 30 mcg group will receive two 15 mcg injections at Visit 1 and two injections at Visit 3.

 

The tests or procedures that are included in the study are:

·         Medical history

  • Medication review to include over the counter medications and supplements

·         Physical examination (including height and weight) will be performed by one of the study doctors.

·         Spirometry – For this test, you will blow into a machine (spirometer) approximately 3 times in order to see how well you are able to blow air out of your lungs. 

  • Blood tests – Blood will be drawn from a vein in your arm to measure antibody levels and other substances that the immune system makes in response to the vaccination.  Approximately 5 teaspoons will be drawn at each visit (1, 2, 3, 4, and 5) for a total of 25 teaspoons over the course of the study.

·         Vital Signs (temperature, pulse, respiratory rate, blood pressure)

·         Urine pregnancy test for females who are able to have children

·         You will be asked to complete a questionnaire that will take approximately 15 minutes to complete.

·         Symptom diary – to write down any symptoms you may have after the vaccine.  This may take 5-10 minutes to complete.

 

If you decide to take part in this research study, you will undergo the following procedures that are not part of your standard medical care:

 

Screening Procedures:

 

Procedures to determine if you are eligible to take part in a research study are called “screening procedures”.   For this research study, the screening procedures include:

 

  • Consent
  • Medical history including history of receiving the 1976 “swine flu” vaccine and previous seasonal flu vaccine
  • Medication review to include over the counter medications and supplements
  • Vital signs (measuring your temperature, pulse, respiratory rate and blood pressure)
  • Baseline physical examination
  • Spirometry
  • Urine pregnancy test if you are a female able to have children
  • Complete a questionnaire about your asthma
  • Blood draw –(about 5 teaspoons)

 

If the study doctor believes that you are eligible to continue in this study you will continue and undergo the following experimental procedures:

  • H1N1 flu vaccine (either one or two shots depending which group you have been randomized to) in whichever arm or thigh you prefer

·         We will watch you for 30 minutes for any reactions after the H1N1 vaccine

·         We will check the site where you received the first H1N1 flu shot

·         Repeat Vital Signs

 

We will give you symptom diaries, a thermometer, and a ruler.  We will ask you to take your temperature by mouth about the same time every day and write down the temperature. We will ask you to use the ruler (provided by the study) to measure the size of any reaction at the place of the shot (or shots).  You will also need to write down any symptoms you have every day during the week after you receive the first H1N1 flu shot (or shots).  You should also write down any drugs or medicines (including over-the-counter medications, vitamins, and herbal supplements) you take during this time. You will collect the diary and thermometer information until the next study center visit (Visit 2).

·         You  will be asked to contact the study doctors right away if you have any unusual or severe reactions in the first week after you receive the first H1N1 flu shot (or shots).

Follow-up Phone Call (1-3 days after Visit 1)

·         We will call you 1 to 3 days after the first H1N1 vaccine to check on any reactions or illnesses you may have had and any drugs or medicines (including over-the-counter medications, vitamins, and herbal supplements) you have taken since your last visit. 

·         We will review the information in your symptom diaries. 

·         We will also ask you questions about your asthma.

 

Visit 2 (8 -10 days after Visit 1)

The following will be done:

·     Review of current health status and any reactions you may have had since the telephone call

·     Medication review to include over the counter medications and supplements

·     Vital Signs

·     We will check the site (or sites) where you received the first H1N1flu shot or shots.

·     A brief physical examination may be done based on your current health.

·     Spirometry – to check how well you are able to blow air out of your lungs

·     Questions about your asthma to see how well your asthma is controlled

·     Blood draw – 25 milliliter (mL) (about 5 teaspoons)-to measure your antibody levels and for other substances that the immune system makes in response to the vaccination.

·     We will review the information in the symptom diary with you.

Visit 3 - 18-24 days after Visit 1, Second H1N1 Flu Shot

This visit is about 3 weeks after the first H1N1 flu shot.

The following will be done:

·     Review of current health status and any reactions you may have had since the last visit

·     Vital Signs

·     We will check the area or areas on your arm or thigh where you received the first H1N1 vaccine.

·     We may do a brief physical examination based on you current health.

·     Spirometry – to check how well you are able to blow air out of your lungs

·     Questions about your asthma

·     Urine pregnancy if you are a female able to have children

·     Blood draw – 25 milliliter (mL) (about 5 teaspoons) -to measure your antibody levels and for other substances that the immune system makes in response to the vaccination.

·     Second H1N1 flu vaccination (1 or 2 shots depending what group you have been assigned to).

·     We will watch you for 30 minutes for any reactions after the H1N1 vaccine

·     We will check the site or sites where you received the second H1N1 vaccine

·     Repeat vital signs

 

We will give you symptom diaries, a thermometer, and a ruler.  We will ask you to take your temperature by mouth about the same time every day and write down the temperature. We will ask you to use the ruler to measure the size of any reaction at the place of the shot (or shots).   You will also need to write down any symptoms you have every day during the week after you receive the second H1N1 flu shot or shots.  You should also write down any drugs or medicines (including over-the-counter medications, vitamins, and herbal supplements) you take during this time. You will collect the diary and thermometer information until the next study center visit (Visit 4)

 

·     You will be asked to contact the study doctors right away if you have any unusual or severe reactions in the first week after you receive the second H1N1 flu shot (or shots).

 

Follow-up Phone Call (1-3 days after Visit 3)

·         We will call you 1 to 3 days after the second H1N1 flu shot to check on any reactions or illnesses you may have had and any drugs or medicines (including over-the-counter medications, vitamins, and herbal supplements) you have taken since your last visit. 

·         We will review the information in your symptom diaries with you. 

·         We will also ask you some questions about your asthma.

Visit 4 – (8-10 days after Visit 3)

The following will be done:

·     Review of current health status and any reactions you may have had since the telephone call

·     Medication review to include over the counter medications and supplements

·     Vital Signs

·     We will check the site (or sites) where you received the second H1N1 flu shot (or shots).

·     A brief physical examination may be done based on your current health.

·     Spirometry – to check how well you are able to blow air out of your lungs

·     Questions about your asthma to see how well your asthma is controlled

·     Blood draw – 25 milliliter (mL) (about 5 teaspoons) - to measure your antibody levels and for other substances that the immune system makes in response to the vaccination.

·     We will review the information in the symptom diary with you.

Follow up Procedures

Visit 5 – (18-24 days after Visit 3)

The following will be done:

·     Review of current health status and any reactions you may have had since the telephone call

·     Medication review to include over the counter medications and supplements

·     A brief physical examination may be done based on your current health.

·     Spirometry – to check how well you are able to blow air out of your lungs

·     Questions about your asthma to see how well your asthma is controlled

·     Blood draw – 25 milliliter (mL) (about 5 teaspoons)-to measure your antibody levels and for other substances that the immune system makes in response to the vaccination.

·     If you have not received this year’s seasonal flu vaccine before starting this study, this vaccine will be offered at this visit at no cost to you.

 

Follow-up Phone Call (2 months after the second shot or shots) 

  • We will call you about 2 months after the second H1N1 vaccine to check on any reactions or illnesses you may have had since your last visit.  Depending on your health status, your study doctor may request that you come back to the study center.
  • We will ask you some questions about your asthma

 

Follow-up Phone Call (4 months after the second shot or shots)

  • We will call you about 4 months after the second H1N1 flu shot to check on any reactions or illnesses you may have had since your last visit or telephone call.  Depending on your health status, the study doctor may ask that you come back to the study center.
  • We will ask you some questions about your asthma

Final Follow-up Phone Call (6 months after the second shot or shots)

  • We will call you about 6 months after the second H1N1 flu shot to check on any reactions or illnesses you may have had since your last visit or telephone call.  Depending on your health status, your study doctor may request that you come back to the study center for a final visit.
  • We will ask you some questions about your asthma

 

Early Withdrawal Visit

·     If you decide to leave the study early, or if we have to remove you from the study, or because you are no longer eligible to continue, we will ask you to come back to the study center for a final visit during which some of the same study procedures will be done.  

 

All clinic visits will take place in the Asthma Institute located in Montefiore Hospital.  Clinic visits will take approximately 1 ½ hours to complete.   The telephone calls may take approximately 15 minutes of your time. 

 

 

 

What are the possible risks, side effects, and discomforts of this research study?

 

The treatment and procedures involved in this research project may have side effects that are not possible to predict.  These unknown risks may affect your participation in the study and/or at some point in the future. 

 

H1N1 Vaccine

Sometimes, people who receive the flu shot may develop flu-like symptoms.  These symptoms may be more likely if you receive the higher strength of the H1N1 flu shot in this study.  These include fever, body aches, headache, or nausea.  These symptoms are usually the worst in the first 24 hours after receiving the flu shot.  They usually last only 1 or 2 days.  Some people may develop reactions at the site where they receive the flu shot (redness, swelling, pain, or tenderness). Tylenol (acetaminophen) or ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil) or similar non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and rest will generally relieve or lessen these symptoms.  Usually, these reactions go away in 1 to 4 days and do not need additional treatment.

 

A small number of people (about 1 in 4 million people) have immediate allergic reactions to vaccines.  These can be things like a skin rash, swelling of the throat, difficulty breathing, or even fainting. If these reactions occur, they can usually be stopped by the study personnel giving emergency medications.  You will receive the vaccine in a clinical setting with medical personnel observing you after each shot (or shots) for 30 minutes and who are able to treat you if you have a reaction.

During the “swine flu” vaccine drive of 1976, about 1 out of 100,000 people who got the “swine flu” shot developed a serious illness.  This illness is called Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS).  The main symptom of this illness is muscle weakness sometimes to the point where your muscles cannot move (paralysis) and you may need help breathing, but rarely causing death.  Most patients who get Guillain-Barré syndrome recover completely, although the recovery period may be as little as a few weeks or as long as a few years.  Some persons may have a relapse of muscle weakness and tingling sensations many years after the initial attack.  This illness has not been seen consistently with other flu vaccines.  It is not known whether the cause was the “swine flu” shot or the virus from which that shot was made or for some other reason.

The current 2009 H1N1 vaccine is different from the 1976 “swine flu” shot.  It is unknown whether there will be as many cases of GBS with the current 2009 H1N1 flu vaccine as were seen with the 1976 “swine flu” shot.  You will not receive the 1976 “swine flu” shot in this study. 

Currently, the vaccine has only been tested in healthy people.  In these people, side effects were similar to those seen with the seasonal flu vaccine (described above).  Blood tests showed a good response to the vaccine in most people after just one shot.  There is no data available on the safety and effectiveness of the H1N1 flu shot in people with asthma.  There may be risks that we do not know about right now.

 

Studies of the seasonal flu vaccine in patients with asthma indicate that there is no significant increase in asthma exacerbations immediately after vaccination.  It is unknown, however, whether the vaccine for the H1N1 flu to be used in this trial will have any bad side effects in the lungs in patients with asthma.

 

Seasonal Flu Vaccine

At the last visit of this study, the seasonal flu vaccine will be made available to you.  The risks of this year’s seasonal flu vaccine may be the same as those of the H1N1 vaccine.

 

Blood Draw

Some people get lightheaded, nauseated or faint.  If you have a snack or water before the blood draw you are less likely to faint.  The fainting feeling will pass if you lie down.  Taking blood can also cause bruising.  Bruising can be prevented or reduced by putting pressure on the blood draw site for a few minutes after the blood is taken.

 

It is possible to receive an infection from having blood taken or receiving a vaccine like an injection.  This is not very likely.  To reduce the risk of infection, the area where the blood will be drawn and where the H1N1 flu shot will be given will be cleaned using aseptic technique.  Sterile equipment will be used. 

 

Spirometry

Spirometry may cause coughing, chest tightness, or lightheadedness that will go away shortly after the test is finished.

 

Risks of becoming pregnant

You cannot participate in this study if:  

  • You are currently pregnant
  • You become pregnant or
  • You are currently breastfeeding.

 

Treatments and procedures involved in this research project may involve unexpected risks to your unborn or nursing child. 

 

If you participate in this study, you must agree to use birth control during the study and for 30 days after receiving the second H1N1 vaccine.  The acceptable birth control methods while you are on this study include the following: not having sex with a man (abstinence), oral contraceptives ("the pill"), intrauterine devices (or IUDs), contraceptive implants under the skin, contraceptive injections, and diaphragms and condoms with foam.  You should not breastfeed your baby while on this study.  You may ask one of the study staff about counseling or for information about preventing pregnancy. 

 

If you should become pregnant while participating in this study, or if you suspect that you have become pregnant, you must contact Dr. Wenzel immediately. 

 

What are possible benefits from taking part in this study?

 

The 2009 H1N1 strain of flu is new but not completely different from flu strains in the seasonal flu vaccines. Although it is not known if this study vaccine will offer protection against infection and/or disease caused by the H1N1 strain of flu, and if it does, it is not known how long that protection may last, there may be a potential for benefit from the vaccine. The H1N1 flu shot is not expected however, to protect you against the “seasonal flu”.

 

What treatments or procedures are available if my I decide not to take part in this research study?

 

Before you decide to take part in this study, the Study doctor will talk with you about these and other options available to you.  The alternative is not to participate in the study.

 

If I agree to take part in this research study, will I be told of any new risks that may be found during the course of the study?

We will tell you about new information that may affect your health, welfare, or willingness to stay in this study.

 

Will my insurance provider or I be charged for the costs of any procedures performed as part of this research study?

 

Neither you, nor your insurance provider, will be charged for the costs of any of the procedures performed for the purpose of this research study (i.e., the Screening Procedures, Experimental Procedures, or Monitoring/Follow-up Procedures described above).  You will be charged, in the standard manner, for any procedures performed for your routine medical care.

 

Will I be paid if I take part in this research study?

 

You will be paid a total of $485 if you complete all parts of this study, which will be given to you in two parts.  You will receive $285 after completion of Visit 3 and the remaining $200 after completion of Visit 5. 

 

In addition, any parking fees and bus fares related to your participation in this study will be paid for by the study.

 

Who will pay if I am injured as a result of taking part in this study?

 

If you believe that the research procedures have resulted in an injury to you, immediately contact the Principal Investigator who is listed on the first page of this form. Emergency medical treatment for injuries solely and directly related to your participation in this research study will be provided to you by the hospitals of UPMC. Your insurance provider may be billed for the costs of this emergency treatment, but none of those costs will be charged directly to you. If your research-related injury requires medical care beyond this emergency treatment, you will be responsible for the costs of this follow-up care. At this time, there is no plan for any additional financial compensation.

 

This vaccine and the clinical trial are covered by the Public Readiness and Emergency Preparedness (PREP) Act which limits your ability to sue if you develop a reaction to the vaccine. A Federal program has been created to help pay for medical care and other specific expenses of people who have serious reactions that are caused by the vaccine. To be eligible for this program, you must file a claim within one year of the vaccination.  The program is administrated by the Health Resources and Services Administration.  An information sheet about the PREP Act, and the Federal program, including how to file a claim will be provided to you at the time you sign this consent.

 

Who will know about my participation in this research study?

 

Any information about you obtained from this research will be kept as confidential (private) as possible.  All records related to your involvement in this research study will be stored in a locked file cabinet.  Your identity on these records will be indicated by a case number rather than by your name, and the information linking these case numbers with your identity will be kept separate from the research records.  You will not be identified by name in any publication of the research results unless you sign a separate consent form giving your permission (release).

 

Will this research study involve the use or disclosure of my identifiable medical information?

 

This research study may involve the recording of current and/or future identifiable medical information from your hospital and/or other (e.g., any emergency room visit or physicians office visit) records.  The information that will be recorded will be limited to information concerning these types of visits during your time in this research study.

 

 

This research study will not result in identifiable information that will be placed into your medical records held at UPMC Presbyterian.

 

Who will have access to identifiable information related to my participation in this research study?

 

In addition to the investigators listed on the first page of this authorization (consent) form and their research staff, the following individuals will or may have access to identifiable information (which may include your identifiable medical information) related to your participation in this research study:

 

Authorized representatives of the University of Pittsburgh Research Conduct and Compliance Office may review your identifiable research information (which may include your identifiable medical information) for the purpose of monitoring the appropriate conduct of this research study.

 

In unusual cases, the investigators may be required to release identifiable information (which may include your identifiable medical information) related to your participation in this research study in response to an order from a court of law.  If the investigators learn that you or someone with whom you are involved is in serious danger or potential harm, they will need to inform, as required by Pennsylvania law, the appropriate agencies.

 

Authorized representatives of the sponsor of this research study or their affiliates, (National Institutes of Health, Novartis, and Rho Federal Systems, Inc.),   will review and/or obtain identifiable information (which may include your identifiable medical information) related to your participation in this research study for the purpose of monitoring the accuracy and completeness of the research data and for performing required scientific analyses of the research data.   While the study sponsor understands the importance of maintaining the confidentiality of your identifiable research and medical information, the UPMC and University of Pittsburgh cannot guarantee the confidentiality of this information after it has been obtained by the study sponsor.  The investigators involved in the conduct of this research study may receive funding from the sponsor to perform the research procedures and to provide the sponsor with identifiable research and medical information related to your participation in the study.

 

Authorized representatives of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration may review and/or obtain identifiable information (which may include your identifiable medical information) related to your participation in this research study for the purpose of monitoring the accuracy of the research data.  While the U.S. Food and Drug Administration understands the importance of maintaining the confidentiality of your identifiable research and medical information, the University of Pittsburgh and UPMC cannot guarantee the confidentiality of this information after it has been obtained by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

 

Authorized representatives of the UPMC hospitals or other affiliated health care providers may have access to identifiable information (which may include your identifiable medical information) related to your participation in this research study for the purpose of (1) fulfilling orders, made by the investigators, for hospital and health care services (e.g., laboratory tests, diagnostic procedures) associated with research study participation; (2) addressing correct payment for tests and procedures ordered by the investigators; and/or (3) for internal hospital operations (i.e. quality assurance).

 

For how long will the investigators be permitted to use and disclose identifiable information related to my participation in this research study?

 

The investigators may continue to use and disclose, for the purposes described above, identifiable information (which may include your identifiable medical information) related to your participation in this research study for a minimum of seven years after final reporting or publication of a project.

 

After tests are done on your blood as part of this study, we would like your permission to keep any remaining blood to use in possible future research studies.  These studies may test for antibodies that the body produces against the flu as well as to test for the substances that the immune system produces in response to vaccination.  No human genetic tests will be performed on your samples.   Your samples will be labeled only by a code - your study subject number - and will not be labeled with your name or initials. 

These samples may be shared with other investigators at other institutions for studies that are first approved by a scientific and ethical review group at the institution.  If these stored samples are tested in the future, no identifying information will be used in the reporting or publication of any results.  Results from this future research would not be reported to you and your doctor.  These coded samples may be shared with other institutions and researchers.

You can decide if you want your samples to be used for future research.  Your decision can be changed at any time by notifying the study doctors or study personnel in writing.  Your decision about your samples will not affect your participation in this study or other studies or your medical care at this institution.

 

May I have access to my medical information that results from my participation in this research study?

 

In accordance with the UPMC Notices of Privacy Practices document that you have been provided, you are permitted access to information (including information resulting from your participation in this research study) contained within your medical records filed with your health care provider.

 

Is my participation in this research study voluntary?

 

You may decide not to take part or leave the study at any time, even after signing the consent form.  If you decide to leave the study, there is no penalty or loss of benefits in your routine medical care or any other benefit(s) that you would otherwise be entitled to receive.  If you decide to leave the study you will be asked to come back to the center for a final visit. 

 

In addition, you should talk with the study doctor who will discuss future treatment and procedures for your continued care when you are no longer in this study.

 

May I withdraw, at a future date, my consent for participation in this research study?

 

You may withdraw, at any time, your consent for participation in this research study, to include the use and disclosure of your identifiable information for the purposes described above.  (Note, however, that if you withdraw your consent for the use and disclosure of your identifiable medical record information for the purposes described above, you will also be withdrawn, in general, from further participation in this research study.)  Any identifiable research or medical information recorded for, or resulting from, your participation in this research study prior to the date that you formally withdrew your consent may continue to be used and disclosed by the investigators for the purposes described above.

                                                                  

To formally withdraw your consent for participation in this research study you should provide a written and dated notice of this decision to the principal investigator of this research study at the address listed on the first page of this form.

 

Your decision to withdraw your consent for participation in this research study will have no effect on your current or future relationship with the University of Pittsburgh.  Your decision to withdraw your consent for participation in this research study will have no effect on your current or future medical care at a UPMC hospital or affiliated health care provider or your current or future relationship with a health care insurance provider.

 

If you decide to withdraw from study participation after you have received the study drug, you should participate in described monitoring follow-up procedures directed at evaluating the safety of the study drug.

 

 

 

 

 

If I agree to take part in this research study, can I be removed from the study without my consent?

 

You may be removed from the study without your consent at any time.  Reasons why you may be removed from the study include, but are not limited to, the following:    

·         The study doctor decides that it is in your best interest not to take part.  You are unable to complete required study treatments and examinations.

  • The study is stopped by the Institution, the Sponsor(s), or by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) or other health authorities.

·         You are diagnosed with an illness or other condition that may need treatments that are not allowed in this study

 

If you are removed from the study, the study doctor will contact you to discuss the procedures and appropriate future treatment for your continued care.

 

In some cases, the study doctors may decide that you should not receive the second vaccine, but may not take you off the study. This means we would ask that you continue with the study visits and phone calls, but we will not do blood drawing on Visits 4 and 5. 

 

 


VOLUNTARY CONSENT

 

The above information has been explained to me and all of my current questions have been answered.  I understand that I am encouraged to ask questions about any aspect of this research study during the course of this study, and that such future questions will be answered by a qualified individual or by the investigator(s) listed on the first page of this consent document at the telephone number(s) given. I understand that I may always request that my questions, concerns or complaints be addressed by a listed investigator. 

 

You may store my unused coded (identified as described on pages 13-14) samples for an indefinite period of time for future research as described above]

   Yes         No                    _______________________

                                      Initials of Research Subject or Legal Guardian

You may store my unused samples for an indefinite period of time for future research as described above, but you must remove any information that could identify it as mine (labeling it only by study and dose group).

   Yes         No                    _______________________

                                      Initials of Research Subject or Legal Guardian

You may not use my samples for other future research.  Destroy my unused samples at the end of this study.

 

   Yes         No                    _______________________

                                      Initials of Research Subject or Legal Guardian

 

I understand that I may contact the Human Subjects Protection Advocate of the IRB Office, University of Pittsburgh (1-866-212-2668) to discuss problems, concerns, and questions; obtain information; offer input; or discuss situations that have occurred during my participation. 

 

By signing this form, I agree to participate in this research study.  A copy of this consent form will be given to me.

 

____________________________                 ____________________________                

Participant’s Signature                          Printed Name of Participant        

 

 

________________

Date
CERTIFICATION of INFORMED CONSENT

 

I certify that I have explained the nature and purpose of this research study to the above-named individual(s), and I have discussed the potential benefits and possible risks of study participation.  Any questions the individual(s) have about this study have been answered, and we will always be available to address future questions as they arise. I further certify that no research component of this protocol was begun until after this consent form was signed.

 

___________________________________              ________________________

Printed Name of Person Obtaining Consent                Role in Research Study

 

_________________________________                 ____________

Signature of Person Obtaining Consent                      Date

 

_________________________________                 _____________

Signature of Investigator                                         Date

 

 

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