An exciting new study has recently opened at Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH) for paediatric rheumatology patients, including those with lupus. The study is called OCTAVE. It aims to find out how well children and young people who take certain medications respond to the COVID vaccine. This includes children with lupus on any medication. 

Who can take part?

At the moment, children and young people aged 12-17 who attend GOSH with a diagnosis of lupus and on any medication. Some other groups of patients with other conditions are also joining the study separately. The study is currently looking at the 12-17 year old age group – this may change in future and we or your hospital team will let you know if that happens and you become eligible.

What does the study involve?

If you and your child/young person agree to take part, they will give a small blood sample in the days or weeks before their next dose of the COVID vaccine and another sample about a month after the vaccine dose. If you and your child/young person agree to help with this study and you visit on a non-clinic day, your travel to GOSH will be refunded.

What does the study hope to find out?

At the moment we don’t know how certain medications might affect how well children and young people respond to the COVID vaccine. Studies in adults are already taking place, but it’s important to know specifically for children and young people. Knowing this information will help clinicians plan future vaccines effectively, and help them give the best possible care to children and young people with lupus during the pandemic.

How do I get involved?

If you and your child would like to take part, and you attend GOSH, contact them through the MyGOSH app. You may shortly receive a letter from them on the app and can respond through that. Alternatively, if you are in clinic soon, speak to your doctor about the OCTAVE study.