VIDEO
Lacy's CMV Story
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Phone: 0400 450 240
Email: vtg@telethonkids.org.au
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Cytomegalovirus, known as CMV, is a common viral infection that usually goes unnoticed or only causes mild, flu-like symptoms.
Despite being harmless for many, CMV can be very dangerous for pregnant woman and their babies. If a woman becomes infected with CMV during pregnancy, the virus can pass to her unborn baby, causing long-term disabilities, hearing loss, or even death in severe cases. It is one of the leading causes of birth defects around the world, and there is currently no vaccine to protect against the virus.
When a person contracts CMV, the virus stays in the body and can reactivate if the person develops problems with their immune system later in life.
The CMVictory Study aims to learn more about the safety and effectiveness of a potential CMV vaccine.
Researchers will evaluate if the investigational vaccine can help the body develop an immune response against CMV, especially in women who have previously been exposed to the virus.
This information will then be used to inform future studies focusing on vaccination against CMV in pregnancy, similar to influenza and whooping cough, in the hopes of protecting future generations from the potential birth
defects caused by CMV.
Healthy women aged between 16 - 40 are encouraged to participate in the CMVictory Study.
Participants aged 20 years and over must have close contact with a child aged five years or under for at least eight hours a week.
Women taking part in this study must not be pregnant or planning a pregnancy within the next 10 months.
Participation in the study will last around 2.5 years and involve:
Participation in the study is voluntary and reasonable travel and parking costs will be reimbursed.
The CMVictory Study is a Phase 3 trial which means it is the final stage of research before seeking approval to license for public use.
Earlier Phase 1 and 2 trials involving the investigational vaccine have found it to be generally well-tolerated without serious side effects.
Safety is our top priority and all participants will be closely monitored by the study doctors.
This study has been approved by the ethics committee at Monash Health.
For more information, please contact the study staff at
the Vaccine Trials Group by calling 0400 450 240 or emailing CMVictory@telethonkids.org.au
Most parents have never heard of CMV – a common virus that is harmless for most people but can cause serious complications for unborn babies. Meet Charlotte – a bright and beautiful baby girl who was born profoundly deaf after her mum Lacy was unknowingly exposed to the virus while she was pregnant. Thanks to the incredible support from Wesfarmers, the Wesfarmers Centre of Vaccines and Infectious Diseases is undertaking a global trial to find a vaccine to prevent CMV.
If you'd like to get in touch, please contact us by phone or email.
Phone: 0400 450 240
Email: vtg@telethonkids.org.au