Perth researchers are launching a vaccine trial for children as young as two months old to help protect them against influenza.
Babies at two hospitals will be given a full adult dose of the vaccine, under supervision, as part of the Telethon Kids Institute study.
Institute professor Chris Blyth said the FluBub study would take place at Perth Children’s Hospital and Adelaide’s Women and Children’s Hospital.
“This year has already seen an early influx of severe flu cases amongst children Australia-wide, which coincides with reduced flu vaccination uptake,” Professor Blyth told Seven.
“We have already seen an increase in hospitalisations with one recent death, and we are keen to protect as many babies and children as possible.”
Researchers are looking to recruit 160 babies for the study over the next two years, with children under six months most at risk from hospitalisation with the flu.
“But we don’t have a licensed vaccine for them,” Professor Blyth said.
News of the study comes a month after the death of three-year-old Muhammed Segaff, who died at Perth’s Fiona Stanley Hospital after presenting with influenza A.
He’s the youngest flu death in Western Australia this year.
West Australians over the age of six months have until Saturday to receive a free flu vaccination.