Impact of Initial Influenza Exposure on Immunity in Infants

The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) seeks to advance its mission by continuing support to establish, follow, and characterize longitudinal cohorts of infants and/or mother-infant dyads to determine how influenza infections and/or vaccinations shape infant and childhood immunity. These studies will define and characterize immunity acquired upon initial exposure (including in utero) to influenza antigens from natural infections and/or vaccinations and examine how these exposures influence immune responses to subsequent influenza infections and/or vaccines. Projects that include mother-infant dyads will also study the role of maternal influenza immune status on neonatal responses to influenza infection and/or vaccination. The overall goal of this research is to provide key information to facilitate design of durable, broadly protective influenza vaccines. Grant authorities that allow NIAID to forecast this opportunity are as follows: Sections 301 and 405 of the Public Health Service Act as amended (42 USC 241 and 284) and under Federal Regulations 42 CFR Part 52 and 2 CFR Part 200.