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

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Minors - Assent 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)

 

 

 

 

Your child is invited to participate in this study because your child has 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 child’s breathing tubes and your child’s 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 child’s body, the immune system in your child’s body makes proteins called antibodies that help your child’s body fight the infection.  Later, if you child is exposed to the flu, your child’s antibodies will help attack and kill the virus.  You child may not get sick at all, or you child 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 your child receives the flu vaccine (sometimes called the flu shot), your child’s 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 child’s body produce H1N1 antibodies that are better at fighting H1N1 flu. 

 

Your child been asked to join this study because they are at least 12 years old, male, or female who is not pregnant and have asthma.  Also, they are asked to join because they 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.

 

Your child cannot take part in this study if they are allergic to eggs or any of the ingredients in the vaccine.  If your child has had any vaccines in the last 2 to 4 weeks they may not able be a part of this study.  If your child is pregnant or breastfeeding, she cannot be part of this study.

 

 If your child has a history of Guillain Barre Syndrome or have some other chronic diseases other than asthma they cannot participate in this study.  Depending your child’s smoking history your child may not be able to participate in this study. Also, your child may be taking certain medications that may not allow them 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?

Your child 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), your child will have 5 study visits including 5 blood draws.  Your child will receive both the first and second H1N1 flu shots about 21 days (3 weeks) apart during 2 short clinic visits. Your child 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 your child about 1 to 3 days after each shot visit to check on any reactions or illnesses your child may have had since their last visit.  After that, study personnel will call you about 2, 4, and 6 months after the second H1N1 flu shot (3, 5, and 7 months after the first H1N1 flu shot) to check on any reactions or illnesses your child  may have had since your child’s last visit or telephone call.  If your child experienced any reactions or illnesses, the study doctor may ask that you and your child come back to the study center.

 

If your child agrees to take part in the study and qualifies, your child will be assigned to one of two different vaccine strength groups.  Your child cannot choose to which group they will be assigned.  Your child 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- this will be performed by one of the study doctors including height and weight.

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

  • Blood tests – Blood will be drawn from a vein in your child’s arm to measure antibody levels and other substances that the immune system makes in response to the vaccination in your child’s blood.  Approximately 5 teaspoons will be drawn at each visit 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

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

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

 

If your child decides to take part in this research study, your child will undergo the following procedures that are not part of your child’s standard medical care:

 

Screening Procedures:

 

Procedures to determine if your child is 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 your child is a female able to have children
  • Complete a questionnaire about your child’s asthma
  • Blood draw –(about 5 teaspoons)

 

If the study doctor believes that your child is eligible to continue in this study your child will continue and undergo the following experimental procedures:

  • H1N1 flu vaccine in whichever arm or thigh your child prefers (either one or two shots depending which group your child has been randomized to)

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

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

·         Repeat Vital Signs

 

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

·         Your child will be asked to contact the study doctors right away if your child has any unusual or severe reactions in the first week after your child receives the first H1N1 flu shot (or shots).

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

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

·         We will review the information in your child’s symptom diaries. 

·         We will also ask your child questions about your child’s asthma.

Visit 2 (8 -10 days after Visit 1)

The following will be done:

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

·     Medication review to include over the counter medications and supplements

·     Vital Signs

·     We will check the site where your child received the first H1N1 vaccine.

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

·     Spirometry – to check how well your child is able to blow air out of their lungs.

·     Questions about your child’s  asthma to see how well their asthma is controlled

·     Blood draw – 25 milliliter (mL) (about 5 teaspoons)-to measure your child’s 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 your child.

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 your child may have had since the last visit.

·     Vital Signs.

·     We will check the area on your child’s arm or thigh where they received the first H1N1 vaccine.

·     We may do a brief physical examination based on your child’s current health.

·     Spirometry – to check how well your child is able to blow air out of their lungs.

·     Questions about your child’s asthma.

·     Urine pregnancy if your child is a female able to have children.

·     Blood draw – 25 milliliter (mL) (about 5 teaspoons) -to measure your child’s 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 your child has been randomized to).

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

·     We will check the site where your child received the second H1N1 vaccine.

·     Repeat vital signs.

 

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

 

·     Your child will be asked to contact the study doctors right away if your child has any unusual or severe reactions in the first week after your child receives the second H1N1 flu shot (or shots).

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

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

·         We will review the information in your child’s symptom diaries with your child. 

·         We will also ask your child some questions about their asthma.

Visit 4 – (8-10 days after Visit 3)

The following will be done:

·     Review of current health status and any reactions your child 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 your child received the second H1N1 flu shot (or shots).

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

·     Spirometry – to check how well your child is able to blow air out of their lungs.

·     Questions about your child’s asthma to see how well their asthma is controlled.

·     Blood draw – 25 milliliter (mL) (about 5 teaspoons) - to measure 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 your child.

 

Follow up Procedures

Visit 5 – (18-24 days after Visit 3)

The following will be done:

·     Review of current health status and any reactions your child 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 child’s current health.

·     Spirometry – to check how well your child is able to blow air out of their lungs.

·     Questions about your child’s asthma to see how well their asthma is controlled.

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

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

 

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

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

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

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

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

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

Early Withdrawal Visit

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

 

Visits 1 and 3 will be performed at the University of Pittsburgh Asthma Institute at UPMC; in while some evening and Saturday appointments will be available.  Visits 2, 4, and 5 will be performed in the Children’s Hospital Pediatric Clinical Translational Research Center. 

 

Clinic visits should last approximately 1 ½ hours.  The telephone calls may take approximately 15 minutes of your child’s 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 child’s 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 your child receives 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.  Your child will receive the vaccine in a clinical setting with medical personnel observing your child after each shot or shots for 30 minutes and who are able to treat your child if your child has 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 child’s 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.  Your child 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 your child.  The risks of the seasonal flu vaccine are the same as those of the H1N1 vaccine.

 

Blood Draw

Some people get lightheaded, nauseated or faint.  If your child has a snack or water before the blood draw they will be less likely to faint.  The fainting feeling will pass if they 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:

Your child cannot participate in this study if:  

  • Your child is currently pregnant
  • Your child could  become pregnant or
  • Your child is currently breastfeeding.

 

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

 

If your child participates in this study, your child 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 your child is 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.  Your child should not breastfeed her baby while on this study.  Your child may ask one of the study staff about counseling or for information about preventing pregnancy.

 

If your child should become pregnant while participating in this study, or if you suspect that your child has become pregnant, your child 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 your child against the “seasonal flu”.

 

 

 

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

 

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

 

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

We will tell your child about new information that may affect your child’s 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 your child, nor your child’s 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).  Your child will be charged, in the standard manner, for any procedures performed for your child’s routine medical care.

 

Will my child be paid if he/she takes part in this research study?

 

Your child will be paid a total of $485 if they complete all parts of this study, which will be given to them in two parts.  Your child 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 child’s participation in this study will be paid for by the study.

 

Who will pay if my child is injured as a result of taking part in this study?

 

If your child believes that the research procedures have resulted in an injury to your child, 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 your child 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 your child. If your child’s 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 child’s ability to sue if your child develops 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, your child 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 your child at the time your child signs this consent.

 

Who will know about my child’s participation in this research study?

 

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

 

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

 

Who will have access to identifiable information related to my child’s 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 child’s identifiable medical information) related to your child’s participation in this research study:

 

Authorized representatives of the University of Pittsburgh Research Conduct and Compliance Office may review your child’s identifiable research information (which may include your child’s 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 child’s identifiable medical information) related to your child’s participation in this research study in response to an order from a court of law.  If the investigators learn that your child or someone with whom your child is 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 child’s identifiable medical information) related to your child’s 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 child’s 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 child’s 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 child’s identifiable medical information) related to your child’s 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 child’s 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 child’s identifiable medical information) related to your child’s 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 child’s participation in this research study?

 

The investigators may continue to use and disclose, for the purposes described above, identifiable information (which may include your child’s identifiable medical information) related to your child’s 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 child’s blood as part of this study, we would like your child’s 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 child’s samples.   Your child’s samples will be labeled only by a code - your child’s study subject number - and will not be labeled with your child’s 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 your child or your child’s doctor.  These coded samples may be shared with other institutions and researchers.

 

Your child can decide if he/she wants your child’s samples to be used for future research.  Your child’s decision can be changed at any time by notifying the study doctors or study personnel in writing.  Your child’s decision about your child’s samples will not affect your child’s participation in this study or other studies or your child’s medical care at this institution.

 

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

 

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

 

 

Is my child’s participation in this research study voluntary?

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

Your child may withdraw, at any time, consent for your child’s participation in this research study, to include the use and disclosure of your child’s identifiable information for the purposes described above.  (Note, however, that if your child withdraws consent for the use and disclosure of your child’s identifiable medical record information for the purposes described above, your child 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 child’s participation in this research study prior to the date that your child formally withdrew consent may continue to be used and disclosed by the investigators for the purposes described above.

                                                                                   

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

 

If you child decides to withdraw from study participation after your child has received the study vaccine, your child should participate in described monitoring follow-up procedures directed at evaluating the safety of the study vaccine..

 

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

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

·         The study doctor decides that it is in your child’s best interest not to take part.  Your child is 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.

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

 

If your child is removed from the study, the study doctor will contact your child to discuss the procedures and appropriate future treatment for your child’s continued care.

 

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

 

 

 

You may store my child’s unused coded (identified as described on pages 13 and 14) for an indefinite period of time for future research as described above.

   Yes         No                _______________________

                                                Initials of Research Subject or Legal Guardian

 

You may store child’s 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 my child’s (labeling it only by study and dose group).

   Yes         No                _______________________

                                                Initials of Research Subject or Legal Guardian

 

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

 

   Yes         No                _______________________

                                                Initials of Research Subject or Legal Guardian

 

 

 

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. 

 

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 child’s participation. 

 

______________________________                               

Child’s Name

 

I understand that, as a minor (age less than 18 years), the above-named child is not permitted to participate in this research study without my consent. Therefore, by signing this form, I give my consent for his/her participation in this research study.

 

 

______________________________                               

Parent’s Name (Print)

 

______________________________                               

Relationship to Participant (Child)

 

______________________________                    _______________                              

Parent’s Signature                                                        Date   

 

Assent

 

This research has been explained to me, and I agree to participate.

 

______________________________                    _______________                              

Signature of Child-Subject                                             Date

 

______________________________                               

Printed Name of Child-Subject

 

 

 

 

 

 

Verification of Explanation:

 

I certify that I have carefully explained the purpose and nature of this research to (name of child) in age appropriate language. He/she has had an opportunity to discuss it with me in detail. I have answered all his/her questions and he/she provided affirmative agreement (i.e., assent) to participate in this research.

 

______________________________                    _______________                              

Principal/Co-Investigator Signature                      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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