Adapting COVID-19 research infrastructure to capture influenza and respiratory syncytial virus alongside SARS-CoV-2 in UK healthcare workers winter 2022/23 and beyond: protocol for a pragmatic sub-study [version 3; peer review: 1 approved, 2 approved with reservations]

Introduction During the COVID-19 pandemic, extensive research was conducted on SARS-CoV-2; however, important questions about other respiratory pathogens remain unanswered. A severe influenza season in 2022–2023 with simultaneous circulation of SARS-CoV2 and respiratory syncytial virus is anticipate...

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Main Authors: Victoria Hall, Susan Hopkins, Jonathan Broad, Naomi Platt, Dominic Sparkes, Sarah Foulkes, Anna Howells, Michelle Cole, Jameel Khawam, Conall Watson, Nick Andrews
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: F1000 Research Ltd 2024-11-01
Series:NIHR Open Research
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Online Access:https://openresearch.nihr.ac.uk/articles/4-1/v3
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author Victoria Hall
Susan Hopkins
Jonathan Broad
Naomi Platt
Dominic Sparkes
Sarah Foulkes
Anna Howells
Michelle Cole
Jameel Khawam
Conall Watson
Nick Andrews
author_facet Victoria Hall
Susan Hopkins
Jonathan Broad
Naomi Platt
Dominic Sparkes
Sarah Foulkes
Anna Howells
Michelle Cole
Jameel Khawam
Conall Watson
Nick Andrews
author_sort Victoria Hall
collection DOAJ
description Introduction During the COVID-19 pandemic, extensive research was conducted on SARS-CoV-2; however, important questions about other respiratory pathogens remain unanswered. A severe influenza season in 2022–2023 with simultaneous circulation of SARS-CoV2 and respiratory syncytial virus is anticipated. This sub-study aims to determine the incidence and impact of these respiratory viruses on healthcare workers, the symptoms they experienced, the effectiveness of both COVID-19 and influenza vaccination and the burden of these infections on the National Health Service (NHS) workforce. Methods and analysis This is a longitudinal prospective cohort sub-study, utilising the population and infrastructure of the SARS-CoV-2 Immunity & Reinfection Evaluation (SIREN) study, which focuses on hospital staff in the UK. Participants undergo fortnightly nucleic acid amplification testing on a multiplex assay including SARS-CoV-2, influenza A and B and RSV, regardless of symptoms. Questionnaires are completed every two weeks, capturing symptoms, sick days, exposures, and vaccination records. Serum samples are collected monthly or quarterly from participants associated with a SIREN site. This sub-study commenced on 28/11/22 to align with the predicted influenza season and participants’ influenza vaccine status. The SIREN Participant Involvement Panel shaped the aims and methods for the study, highlighting its acceptability. UK devolved administrations were supported to develop local protocols. Analysis plans include incidence of asymptomatic and symptomatic infection, comparisons of vaccination coverage, assessment of sick day burden, and effectiveness of seasonal influenza against infection and time off work. Data are also integrated into UKHSA nosocomial modelling. Ethics and dissemination The protocol was approved by the Berkshire Research Ethics Committee (IRAS ID 284460, REC Reference 20SC0230) on 14/11/2022. Participants were informed in advance. As the frequency and method of sampling remained the same, implied consent processes were approved by the committee. Participants returning to the study give informed consent. Regular reports to advisory groups and peer-reviewed publications are planned to disseminate findings and inform decision making. Clinical trial registration number: ISRCTN11041050; registration date: 12 January 2021. Sub study included in protocol version: v8.0, and amended in v9.0 
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spelling doaj-art-fb2e3145b29f463d814ec21ac02cfaae2025-08-20T02:51:00ZengF1000 Research LtdNIHR Open Research2633-44022024-11-01410.3310/nihropenres.13517.314978Adapting COVID-19 research infrastructure to capture influenza and respiratory syncytial virus alongside SARS-CoV-2 in UK healthcare workers winter 2022/23 and beyond: protocol for a pragmatic sub-study [version 3; peer review: 1 approved, 2 approved with reservations]Victoria Hall0https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8744-4277Susan Hopkins1Jonathan Broad2https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4710-2904Naomi Platt3Dominic Sparkes4Sarah Foulkes5https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7241-6345Anna Howells6Michelle Cole7Jameel Khawam8Conall Watson9Nick Andrews10UKHSA, London, E14 4PU, UKUKHSA, London, E14 4PU, UKUKHSA, London, E14 4PU, UKUKHSA, London, E14 4PU, UKUKHSA, London, E14 4PU, UKUKHSA, London, E14 4PU, UKUKHSA, London, E14 4PU, UKUKHSA, London, E14 4PU, UKUKHSA, London, E14 4PU, UKUKHSA, London, E14 4PU, UKUKHSA, London, E14 4PU, UKIntroduction During the COVID-19 pandemic, extensive research was conducted on SARS-CoV-2; however, important questions about other respiratory pathogens remain unanswered. A severe influenza season in 2022–2023 with simultaneous circulation of SARS-CoV2 and respiratory syncytial virus is anticipated. This sub-study aims to determine the incidence and impact of these respiratory viruses on healthcare workers, the symptoms they experienced, the effectiveness of both COVID-19 and influenza vaccination and the burden of these infections on the National Health Service (NHS) workforce. Methods and analysis This is a longitudinal prospective cohort sub-study, utilising the population and infrastructure of the SARS-CoV-2 Immunity & Reinfection Evaluation (SIREN) study, which focuses on hospital staff in the UK. Participants undergo fortnightly nucleic acid amplification testing on a multiplex assay including SARS-CoV-2, influenza A and B and RSV, regardless of symptoms. Questionnaires are completed every two weeks, capturing symptoms, sick days, exposures, and vaccination records. Serum samples are collected monthly or quarterly from participants associated with a SIREN site. This sub-study commenced on 28/11/22 to align with the predicted influenza season and participants’ influenza vaccine status. The SIREN Participant Involvement Panel shaped the aims and methods for the study, highlighting its acceptability. UK devolved administrations were supported to develop local protocols. Analysis plans include incidence of asymptomatic and symptomatic infection, comparisons of vaccination coverage, assessment of sick day burden, and effectiveness of seasonal influenza against infection and time off work. Data are also integrated into UKHSA nosocomial modelling. Ethics and dissemination The protocol was approved by the Berkshire Research Ethics Committee (IRAS ID 284460, REC Reference 20SC0230) on 14/11/2022. Participants were informed in advance. As the frequency and method of sampling remained the same, implied consent processes were approved by the committee. Participants returning to the study give informed consent. Regular reports to advisory groups and peer-reviewed publications are planned to disseminate findings and inform decision making. Clinical trial registration number: ISRCTN11041050; registration date: 12 January 2021. Sub study included in protocol version: v8.0, and amended in v9.0 https://openresearch.nihr.ac.uk/articles/4-1/v3COVID-19 Winter pressures Respiratory Syncytial Virus Influenzaeng
spellingShingle Victoria Hall
Susan Hopkins
Jonathan Broad
Naomi Platt
Dominic Sparkes
Sarah Foulkes
Anna Howells
Michelle Cole
Jameel Khawam
Conall Watson
Nick Andrews
Adapting COVID-19 research infrastructure to capture influenza and respiratory syncytial virus alongside SARS-CoV-2 in UK healthcare workers winter 2022/23 and beyond: protocol for a pragmatic sub-study [version 3; peer review: 1 approved, 2 approved with reservations]
NIHR Open Research
COVID-19
Winter pressures
Respiratory Syncytial Virus
Influenza
eng
title Adapting COVID-19 research infrastructure to capture influenza and respiratory syncytial virus alongside SARS-CoV-2 in UK healthcare workers winter 2022/23 and beyond: protocol for a pragmatic sub-study [version 3; peer review: 1 approved, 2 approved with reservations]
title_full Adapting COVID-19 research infrastructure to capture influenza and respiratory syncytial virus alongside SARS-CoV-2 in UK healthcare workers winter 2022/23 and beyond: protocol for a pragmatic sub-study [version 3; peer review: 1 approved, 2 approved with reservations]
title_fullStr Adapting COVID-19 research infrastructure to capture influenza and respiratory syncytial virus alongside SARS-CoV-2 in UK healthcare workers winter 2022/23 and beyond: protocol for a pragmatic sub-study [version 3; peer review: 1 approved, 2 approved with reservations]
title_full_unstemmed Adapting COVID-19 research infrastructure to capture influenza and respiratory syncytial virus alongside SARS-CoV-2 in UK healthcare workers winter 2022/23 and beyond: protocol for a pragmatic sub-study [version 3; peer review: 1 approved, 2 approved with reservations]
title_short Adapting COVID-19 research infrastructure to capture influenza and respiratory syncytial virus alongside SARS-CoV-2 in UK healthcare workers winter 2022/23 and beyond: protocol for a pragmatic sub-study [version 3; peer review: 1 approved, 2 approved with reservations]
title_sort adapting covid 19 research infrastructure to capture influenza and respiratory syncytial virus alongside sars cov 2 in uk healthcare workers winter 2022 23 and beyond protocol for a pragmatic sub study version 3 peer review 1 approved 2 approved with reservations
topic COVID-19
Winter pressures
Respiratory Syncytial Virus
Influenza
eng
url https://openresearch.nihr.ac.uk/articles/4-1/v3
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