Cellular and Molecular Characterization of the Immune Response in Healthy NIH Employees atBaseline, and After Immunization With the H1N1 or Seasonal Influenza Vaccines
Cellular and Molecular Characterization of the Immune Response in Healthy NIH Employees atBaseline, and After Immunization With the H1N1 or Seasonal Influenza Vaccines
Background:

 - Seasonal influenza is a major health problem whose impact is typically reduced by
 vaccination. The H1N1 (swine flu) influenza virus is an emerging pathogen that has the
 potential to cause devastating illness and even death in the coming months. Currently, there
 are limited data on the cellular and molecular immune responses in adult recipients of either
 the seasonal or the H1N1 influenza vaccines.

 Objectives:

 - To obtain blood and nasal wash samples and perform laboratory studies to characterize the
 immune response in healthy adult volunteers at baseline and after immunization with the
 seasonal or H1N1 influenza vaccines.

 Eligibility:

 - Adult employees at least 18 years of age of the NIH Clinical Center who are deemed healthy
 by a brief medical history and physical examination and routine blood testing.

 Design:

 -  Before the start of the influenza season, volunteers will receive either the seasonal
 influenza vaccine or the H1N1 vaccine when it becomes available. If the H1N1 vaccine is
 available at the start of the season, volunteers will receive both the seasonal vaccine
 and the H1N1 vaccine.

 -  Blood will be drawn over an 8-week period. Volunteers must not eat anything for 8 hours
 prior to the blood draw. The sequence of the blood draws is as follows: 2 weeks before
 vaccination; right before vaccination; and 1, 7, 14, 28, and 60 days after vaccination.

 -  Two to four nasal washings will be collected by a nurse before volunteers receive the
 vaccination(s) and 28 days after the vaccination.

 -  Prevaccine and postvaccine blood and nasal wash samples will be compared to determine
 volunteers immune responses.

 -  Research samples will be stored indefinitely and will be used strictly for laboratory
 experiments.
Seasonal influenza is a major health problem whose impact is typically reduced by
 vaccination. The H1N1 (swine flu) influenza virus is an emerging pathogen which has the
 potential to cause devastating morbidity and mortality in the coming months. In June 2009,
 the World Health Organization declared the H1N1 outbreak to be a global pandemic. At present
 there are limited data on the cellular and molecular immune responses in adult recipients of
 either the seasonal or the H1N1 influenza vaccines.

 Therefore, the Center for Human Immunology, Autoimmunity, and Inflammatory Diseases proposes
 this protocol designed to obtain blood from healthy adult subjects (NIH employees) prior to
 vaccination and then at various time points after receiving the FDA-licensed seasonal and
 H1N1 influenza vaccine. These samples will be used to perform a comprehensive and detailed
 analysis of the immune system at baseline and in response to vaccination. To our knowledge,
 this protocol will be the first study to characterize the human cellular and molecular immune
 system parameters, or immunome, in a large number of healthy adults (NIH employees). This
 information may be useful in designing newer, more effective vaccines to prevent the spread
 of H1N1 influenza.

 The primary objective is to perform laboratory studies to characterize the immune response in
 healthy adult volunteers at baseline and after immunization with the seasonal or H1N1
 influenza vaccines. Primary endpoint is the results of the research laboratory assessments.
 As samples will be stored indefinitely, the time frame for primary endpoint is indefinite.
-  INCLUSION CRITERIA:

 1. NIH employees scheduled to receive the Influenza and H1N1 vaccines through OMS.

 2. Health status confirmed by History, Physical Exam and blood work through the CHI
 Screening Protocol.

 3. Age 18 years and older (no upper limit).

 4. Able to comprehend the investigational nature of the protocol and provide
 informed consent.

 EXCLUSION CRITERIA:

 1. Recipient of another vaccine or immune modulating drug within 6 months prior to study
 entry.

 2. Severe allergies to eggs or their products.

 3. Prior severe reactions to vaccines.

 4. Participation on any blood collection or blood donation procedure during study
 participation.

 5. Current pregnancy (women of child bearing potential must have a negative serum
 pregnancy test done on screening within 1 week of protocol accrual).