If you are aged 18 to 29 years, are in good general health and don’t currently have chlamydia, you may be eligible to participate in the trial of an investigational chlamydia vaccine.

Chlamydia is a common sexually transmitted infection (STI) that affects millions of people worldwide. The infection is often referred to as the "silent" STI because more than 80 percent of those who are infected may not show any symptoms. If left untreated, it can lead to serious health complications, such as infertility, pelvic inflammatory disease and increased susceptibility to other infections, including HIV.

We are testing a potential treatment of a vaccine that aims to prevent chlamydia infection, helping reduce the spread and prevent related health complications.

We are seeking applications from people who:

• are aged between 18 and 29 years and are sexually active
• are in good general health and don’t currently have chlamydia*
• are not pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning to become pregnant during the study, and agree to use an effective contraceptive method for at least 4 weeks prior to study intervention until at least 4 weeks after the last study intervention administration
• can attend 13 visits at our Morayfield clinic and 4 phone calls over 18 months

*If you test positive for active chlamydia infection, you will not be eligible to join the trial. But, after you finish treatment and wait 30 days, you can be checked again to see if you now qualify.

Our participant recruitment team will call and ask you more questions to determine your eligibility.

You will be reimbursed up to $3,000 for the study, with reimbursements paid in increments after each visit and scheduled phone call.

To register your interest, please review the application form and complete your details.

This trial has been reviewed by an independent Human Research Ethics Committee.

What's involved?

Participants in this trial will receive the investigational vaccine or placebo through an intramuscular injection, administered in three doses at 0, 2, and 6 months, injected into the upper arm. The trial lasts approximately 18 months, and includes a participant follow up period of up to 12 months after the final dose. This includes a screening period, three vaccine doses, and multiple follow-up visits.

The trial aims to evaluate the safety, effectiveness, and immune response of a new Chlamydia mRNA vaccine that hopes to reduce the spread of this common sexually transmitted infection and prevent related health complications, such as pelvic inflammatory disease and infertility.

Procedures

• Eligibility assessment
• Physical examination
• Questionnaires
• Vital signs measurement
• Blood tests
• Vaginal swabs for females
• Urine sample collection for males
• Rectal and oropharyngeal swab for MSM
• Rectal swab in case of anorectal symptoms
• Pregnancy test (if required)
• Intramuscular injection of the investigational treatment
• Monitoring for injection site reactions
• Regular follow-up assessments

Pre-screening, treatment, and follow-up phases could take approximately 2 years. You will be reimbursed for your time on the trial, all trial related treatment is of no cost to the participants.

Where can I find more information?

More information can be requested by contacting the recruitment team on 07 5409 8640 or trialparticipant@usc.edu.au. Do not send personal medical information to this email address. Alternatively, the team will be more than happy to answer any questions you may have when they call.