Novartis H1N1 Vaccine in Pregnant Women

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the safety of a 2009 H1N1 influenza vaccine in pregnant women and to determine how their body reacts to different strengths of the vaccine. Two strengths of the H1N1 influenza vaccine will be tested. Since it is not known if the response to the vaccine in pregnant women is the same or different than in non-pregnant women, the study also includes a group of women who are not pregnant for comparison. Participants include 200 pregnant women and 100 non-pregnant women ages 18-39. Study procedures include physical exams, several blood samples and maintaining a memory aid to document daily temperature and side effects for 8 days following vaccination. Participants will be involved in study related procedures for about 6 months.

Recently, a novel swine-origin influenza A/H1N1 virus was identified as a significant cause of febrile respiratory illnesses in Mexico and the United States. It rapidly spread to many countries around the world, prompting the World Health Organization to declare a pandemic on June 11, 2009. Pregnant women are at an increased risk for serious consequences of influenza infection. A 15 microgram (mcg) dose of unadjuvanted inactivated H1N1 vaccine is recommended for healthy adults and recent preliminary data indicates this dose is likely to be protective for pregnant women. However, a higher dose of an unadjuvanted, inactivated influenza H1N1 vaccine may be necessary to confer optimal protection to this at risk population. This protocol will explore the antibody response following vaccination of pregnant women at 2 different dose levels (15 mcg and 30 mcg) and a non-pregnant control group receiving a 15 mcg dose. Antibody responses will be assessed at 21 days and 180 days post vaccination. For pregnant women, maternal and cord blood will be collected to determine the level of H1N1 antibodies transferred to the baby. An optimal immune response in pregnant women would impact transplacental transport of protective antibodies which is important since vaccines are not available for infants younger than six months, another at risk population for severe H1N1 disease. Sustained immunity for at least 6 months post-vaccination would impart benefit not only to the woman herself but also decrease a primary exposure risk (infected mother) for the newborn infant. Furthermore, a systematic evaluation of the kinetics of maternally transferred antibodies to 2009 H1N1 influenza virus will help improve and develop strategies to protect infants from influenza. This is an open label, Phase II study in pregnant and non-pregnant women, aged 18-39 years old designed to investigate the safety, reactogenicity, and immunogenicity of an inactivated influenza H1N1 virus vaccine. Pregnant women will be randomized into 2 groups (100 per dose group) to receive intramuscular (IM) inactivated influenza H1N1 vaccine at 15 mcg (Group 1) or 30 mcg (Group 2). A non-pregnant control group of 100 subjects will receive IM inactivated influenza H1N1 vaccine at 15 mcg (Group 3). Following immunization, safety will be measured by assessment of adverse events (AEs) through 21 days post vaccination (serious AEs and new-onset chronic medical conditions monthly through 6 months post vaccination (Day 180). Reactogenicity to the vaccine will be assessed for 8 days following vaccination (Day 0-7). Immunogenicity testing will include hemagglutination inhibition assay (HAI) and neutralizing antibody testing on serum obtained on Days 0, 21, and 180. For the pregnant groups, HAI antibody testing will also be performed on serum from the participant at delivery, on serum from cord blood collected at delivery and, when possible, on serum samples collected from the participant at day 180 and from the infant at 6 weeks, four months, or six months after delivery. The primary safety objective is to assess the safety of unadjuvanted, inactivated H1N1 influenza vaccine in pregnant women when administered at the 15 mcg or 30 mcg dose. The primary immunogenicity objective is to assess the antibody response to unadjuvanted, inactivated H1N1 influenza vaccine in pregnant women when administered at the 15 mcg or 30 mcg dose. The secondary objective for pregnant women is to assess the efficiency of placental transport of maternal influenza antigen specific antibodies to the neonate.

Eligibility Criteria:
Inclusion Criteria:

Pregnant women:

* Pregnant female between the ages of 18 and 39 years, inclusive.
* Is from 14 weeks/0 days through 33 weeks/6 days of gestation.
* Had at least one prenatal visit during which pregnancy was confirmed.
* Is in good health, as determined by vital signs (heart rate less than or equal to 100 beats per minute; blood pressure: systolic less than or equal to 140 mm Hg; diastolic less than or equal to 90 mm Hg; oral temperature less than or equal to 100 degrees Fahrenheit), medical history to ensure any existing medical diagnoses or conditions are stable and not considered clinically significant, and targeted physical examination based on medical history.
* Receipt of the 2009-2010 seasonal influenza vaccine no less than two weeks prior to enrollment in this study.
* Intend to be available through 6 months following receipt of H1N1 vaccine.
* Able to understand and comply with planned study procedures.
* Provides written informed consent prior to initiation of any study procedures.
* Agrees to sign medical release for herself and her infant(s) to allow study staff to gather pregnancy outcome data, if needed per clinical site policy.

Non-pregnant women:

* Female between the ages of 18-39 years, inclusive.
* For the 30 days prior to enrollment through 30 days following receipt of H1N1 vaccine must fulfill one of the following: (i) she is not able to bear children because she has been surgically sterilized (tubal ligation or hysterectomy) for at least one year or is at least 1 year post-menopausal or (ii) she agrees to practice effective methods of contraception including, but not limited to, abstinence, barrier methods (such as a condom or diaphragm) used with a spermicide, birth control pills, patches or hormonal shots or hormonal implants, NuvaRing and IUDs (intrauterine devices).
* For a female subject of childbearing potential, must have a negative pregnancy test (urine or serum) within 24 hours prior to vaccination.
* Is in good health, as determined by vital signs, medical history to ensure any existing medical diagnoses or conditions are stable and not considered clinically significant, and targeted physical examination based on medical history (if indicated). A stable chronic medical condition is defined as no change in prescription medication, dose, or frequency of medication in the last 3 months and health outcomes of the specific disease are considered to be within acceptable limits in the last 6 months. Any change that is due to change of health care provider, insurance company etc, or that is done for financial reasons, as long as in the same class of medication will not be considered a violation of this inclusion criterion. Any change in prescription medication due to improvement of a disease outcome will not be considered a violation of this inclusion criterion.
* Receipt of the 2009-2010 seasonal influenza vaccine no less than two weeks prior to enrollment in this study
* Intend to be available for a follow-up visit and phone call access through 6 months following receipt of H1N1 vaccine.
* Able to understand and comply with planned study procedures.
* Provides written informed consent prior to initiation of any study procedures.

Exclusion Criteria:

Pregnant women:

* Has a known allergy or hypersensitivity to eggs or other components in the vaccines (these may include, but are not limited to: polymyxin and neomycin).
* Has a history of severe reactions following previous immunization with influenza virus vaccines.
* Has participated in a novel influenza H1N1 2009 vaccine study in the past 2 years, has received a H1N1 2009 vaccine or has history of novel influenza H1N1 2009 infection evaluated by a healthcare professional prior to enrollment.
* Has received any other live licensed vaccines within 4 weeks or inactivated licensed vaccines within 2 weeks prior to vaccination in this study or plan receipt of such vaccines within 21 days following vaccination. Measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine and tetanus, diphtheria, and acellular pertussis vaccine and human papillomavirus vaccine are permitted post-partum.
* Has received an experimental/investigational agent (vaccine, drug, biologic, device, blood product, or medication) within 1 month prior to vaccination in this study, or expects to receive another experimental/investigational agent during the study period (prior to 180 days post vaccination).
* Has an acute illness and/or an oral temperature \>/= 100.0 F, within 72 hours of vaccination (This may result in a temporary delay of vaccination).
* Has immunosuppression as a result of an underlying illness or treatment, or use of anti-cancer chemotherapy or radiation therapy within the preceding 36 months.
* Has an active neoplastic disease (excluding non-melanoma skin cancer), a history of any hematologic malignancy, current bleeding disorder, or taking anticoagulants.
* Long term use of glucocorticoids, including oral or parenteral, or high-dose inhaled steroids (\>800 micrograms/day of beclomethasone dipropionate or equivalent) within the preceding 6 months (nasal and topical steroids are allowed) or has received betamethasone or dexamethasone to accelerate fetal lung maturity.
* Has a history of receiving immunoglobulin or other blood product (with exception of Rhogam) within the 3 months prior to enrollment in this study.
* Has a diagnosis of a current and uncontrolled major psychiatric disorder.
* Has been hospitalized for psychiatric illness, history of suicide attempt, or confinement for danger to self or others, within the past 10 years.
* The subject is receiving any of the following psychiatric drugs: aripiprazole, clozapine, ziprasidone, haloperidol, molindone, loxapine, thioridazine, thiothixene, pimozide, fluphenazine, risperidone, mesoridazine, quetiapine, trifluoperazine, trifluopromazine, chlorprothixene, chlorpromazine, perphenazine, olanzapine, carbamazepine, divalproex sodium, lithium carbonate or lithium citrate. Subjects who are receiving an antidepressant drug (not listed above) and are stable for at least 3 months prior to enrollment without decompensating are allowed enrollment into the study.
* Known infection with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis B, or hepatitis C.
* History of alcohol or drug abuse in the last 5 years.
* Has a seizure disorder or is on an anti-seizure medication.
* Has a history of Guillain-Barré Syndrome.
* Plan to travel outside of North America in the time between vaccination and 21 days following vaccination
* Has an acute or chronic medical condition that, in the opinion of the investigator would render vaccination unsafe, or would interfere with the evaluation of responses (this includes, but is not limited to, known cardiac disease, chronic liver disease, significant renal disease, unstable or progressive neurological disorder, transplant recipients or uncontrolled diabetes, juvenile diabetes (Type I) or advanced diabetes with renal disease or eye disease, diabetes controlled by diet or insulin is acceptable).
* Has any condition that would, in the opinion of the site investigator, place the subject at an unacceptable risk of injury or render the subject unable to meet the requirements of the protocol.

Non-pregnant women:

* Has a known allergy or hypersensitivity to eggs, egg proteins, other components in the vaccines (these may include, but not limited to: polymyxin and neomycin).
* Has a history of severe reactions following previous immunization with influenza virus vaccines.
* Has participated in a novel influenza H1N1 2009 vaccine study in the past 2 years, has received H1N1 2009 vaccine or has history of novel influenza H1N1 2009 infection evaluated by a healthcare professional prior to enrollment.
* Has received any other live licensed vaccines within 4 weeks or inactivated licensed vaccines within 2 weeks prior to vaccination in this study or plan receipt of such vaccines within 21 days following vaccination.
* Has received an experimental/investigational agent (vaccine, drug, biologic, device, blood product, or medication) within 1 month prior to vaccination in this study, or expects to receive another experimental/investigational agent during the study period (prior to 180 days post vaccination).
* Is breastfeeding or intends to become pregnant during the study period between enrollment and 30 days following receipt of the H1N1 vaccine.
* Has an acute illness and/or an oral temperature greater than or equal to 100.0 F, within 72 hours of vaccination (This may result in a temporary delay of vaccination).
* Has immunosuppression as a result of an underlying illness or treatment, or use of anti-cancer chemotherapy or radiation therapy within the preceding 36 months.
* Has an active neoplastic disease (excluding non-melanoma skin cancer), a history of any hematologic malignancy, current bleeding disorder, or taking anticoagulants.
* Long term use of glucocorticoids, including oral or parenteral, or high-dose inhaled steroids (\>800 micrograms/day of beclomethasone dipropionate or equivalent) within the preceding 6 months (nasal and topical steroids are allowed).
* Has a history of receiving immunoglobulin or other blood product within the 3 months prior to enrollment in this study.
* Has a diagnosis of a current and uncontrolled major psychiatric disorder.
* Has been hospitalized for psychiatric illness, history of suicide attempt, or confinement for danger to self or others, within the past 10 years.
* The subject is receiving any of the following psychiatric drugs: aripiprazole, clozapine, ziprasidone, haloperidol, molindone, loxapine, thioridazine, thiothixene, pimozide, fluphenazine, risperidone, mesoridazine, quetiapine, trifluoperazine, trifluopromazine, chlorprothixene, chlorpromazine, perphenazine, olanzapine, carbamazepine, divalproex sodium, lithium carbonate or lithium citrate. Subjects who are receiving an antidepressant drug (not listed above) and are stable for at least 3 months prior to enrollment without decompensating are allowed enrollment into the study.
* Known infection with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis B, or hepatitis C
* History of alcohol or drug abuse in the last 5 years.
* Has a seizure disorder or is on an anti-seizure medication.
* Has a history of Guillain-Barré Syndrome.
* Plan to travel outside of North America in the time between vaccination and 21 days following vaccination.
* Has an acute or chronic medical condition that, in the opinion of the investigator would render vaccination unsafe, or would interfere with the evaluation of responses (this includes, but is not limited to, known cardiac disease, chronic liver disease, significant renal disease, unstable or progressive neurological disorder, transplant recipients or uncontrolled diabetes, juvenile diabetes (Type I) or advanced diabetes with renal disease or eye disease, diabetes controlled by diet or insulin is acceptable.
* Has any condition that would, in the opinion of the site investigator, place the subject at an unacceptable risk of injury or render the subject unable to meet the requirements of the protocol.