Whats the Story?

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The University of Nottingham Health Service is researching a new way of surveying how well protected we are from infectious diseases by collecting blood samples from people who represent different groups across society.

Why are we doing this study?

One of the ways our bodies develop protection against infectious diseases is by developing antibodies, either after an infection or following a vaccination. We would like to do a blood test to measure the antibody levels against important diseases, including those that are vaccine preventable.

We would like to take a blood sample from people aged from birth to-19 years of age to look at their antibody levels against important infectious diseases. We are particularly interested in Group C meningococcus (MenC) and diphtheria and in the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). This would help us understand whether we need to make any changes to the UK vaccine schedule, and tell us about the number of infections with COVID-19 in the UK.

What happens in this study?

* We are looking to enrol children and adults aged from birth to 19 years old.

* There will be a single visit with a blood test.

* We will ask if you would be happy to take be approached for additional blood and saliva samples at 2 monthly intervals (this is optional and the maximum number of additional visits is 3).

* We will ask you some basic information including age, gender, vaccination history.

* We will arrange to see you in a clinic in a location near to you (Cripps Medical Centre, University Park, Nottingham NG7 2QW).

* Participants seen in clinics will be offered £20 reimbursement in the form of a voucher for taking part in the study. If they are seen at home there will be no reimbursement.

* Local anaesthetic skin cream would be used for children to reduce any discomfort from blood sampling.

* The whole appointment should take around 45 minutes.

Taking part in this research study is completely voluntary. We will be looking at population level information and would not be providing individual results, but everyone who takes part will be making an important contribution to fighting infectious disease in the UK.

If you (and/or your child) are interested in taking part in the study, please read the Study Information Booklet by pressing the button below, and then complete the registration form. A member of the study team will then contact you to discuss the study further, and if appropriate, arrange an initial appointment.