About this study

Help advance RSV research – and make a real difference 

We’re studying how the immune system responds to Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV), a very common respiratory virus that often causes mild, cold‑like symptoms. Most healthy adults recover quickly, but RSV can be much more serious for babies and older adults, sometimes leading to hospitalisation. 

Although RSV vaccines are now available in the UK, there are still important questions to answer — including how long protection lasts, how well vaccines prevent milder illness, and why some people become more unwell than others. 

By taking part in the CHIRP‑02 study, you’ll be helping researchers better understand how the immune system responds to RSV at different ages. This knowledge could play a key role in improving future vaccines and treatments, helping to protect those most at risk. 

Your participation could help shape the future of RSV prevention. 

This study will recruit 20 healthy, non-smoking adults aged 65–75 years. 

All participants will attend a screening visit for a comprehensive health assessment to confirm eligibility. 

If eligible, participants will take part in an inpatient stay in a quarantine unit, where they will receive RSV (respiratory syncytial virus) as nasal drops in a controlled setting. All participants will remain in the unit for 10 nights and will undergo daily sampling (nose and throat swabs and blood tests). After discharge, participants will attend follow-up visits at Day 14, Day 28, and Day 90. 

Participants will be enrolled into one of two groups: 

• Group 1 (first 6 participants): 
  No bronchoscopy procedures. Reimbursement up to £2,300 for completing all visits.  

• Group 2 (next 14 participants): 
  Will undergo three bronchoscopy procedures: one at a baseline visit (approximately 2 weeks before admission), one during the inpatient stay, and one at the Day 28 follow-up visit. Reimbursement up to £2,700 for completing all visits. 

Enrolment into Group 1 or 2 will depend on how far along the study is and as such, participants will not be able to choose which group they go into. 

We are looking for: 

• Healthy volunteers aged 65-75yrs 

• Non-smokers or ex-smokers with a pack year history of 10 pack years or less (Pack years can be calculated by the number of cigarettes packs [20 cigarettes] smoked per day times by the number of years smoked for). 

• People who have not had a cold in the last 4 weeks 

• People who have no significant health issues 

• People who have NOT received an RSV vaccine before 

Each participant will be in the study for approximately 3-4 months from screening to their last scheduled visit. 

1. Screening Visit (about 3 hours)

Meet our study team, ask questions, and complete: 

• Informed consent process 

• A medical check‑up 

• Blood and urine tests 

• Breathing tests 

• Chest X‑ray 

• Review of your medical history 

2. Baseline Visit (Group 2 Only)

For eligible participants in Group 2, you’ll return for a baseline appointment and your first bronchoscopy procedure to collect baseline upper and lower airway samples (explained further by our team). This happens about two weeks before the quarantine stay. 

3. Quarantine Stay

You’ll stay in the quarantine unit from Day –1 (the day before you are given the virus, usually a Monday). The unit will most likely be a mixed gender ward. The following day (Day 0) you’ll receive RSV via drops into your nose, in a safe, monitored environment. 

You may or may not become infected, and you’ll remain in the unit for 10 days regardless of your infection status for safety reasons. Staying in the unit prevents RSV from spreading to vulnerable people in the community. 

During your stay, we’ll check in with you daily, monitor symptoms, collect samples, and ensure your comfort and safety.  

Group 2 participants will also undergo one bronchoscopy procedure during your stay.  

4. Follow‑Up Visits

After leaving the unit, you’ll return for short visits at the following timepoints: 

• Day 14 

• Day 28 (Group 2 participants will have a bronchoscopy) 

• Day 90  

After the final visit, your participation is complete. 

Taking part will not improve anyone’s health, although they might develop some immunity to the study virus and benefit from a general health check at screening. They will be compensated for their time if they take part, up to £2,700 depending on which study group they are in.

To find out more about the study, please read the Participant Information Sheet:

If after reading this you would like to take part, please complete the pre-screening questionnaire. Please try to answer all questions openly and honestly to the best of your ability.  All information we obtain will be used in accordance with our privacy policy.
 
For further information about this questionnaire or any aspect of the study, please contact: imperial.humanchallenge@nhs.net  

Ethics

The London Fulham Research Ethics Committee (REC) has reviewed and approved this study on 15th September 2026.  

Review by an ethics committee is one of a series of safeguards intended to protect people taking part in all clinical research studies. It is a thorough process and there are many principles that are considered during the review, including weighing up the benefits against the risks. Another important consideration is making sure the potential participants receive high-quality, comprehensive information about the study in a timely fashion. The information about the human infection study sent to and discussed with potential volunteers is very detailed and there are measures in place to make sure it is understood, so potential volunteers have a full picture of what the risks are and what the study entails before agreeing to take part (this is known as informed consent). 

You can find out more about Research Ethics Committees (RECs) and the Health Research Authority (HRA) approvals on the HRA website: About us - Health Research Authority (hra.nhs.uk). A REC is made up of experts from different backgrounds (for example doctors, clinical trial experts, and scientists) and members of the public.