The Immune Deficiency Foundation (IDF) has received a research grant to study the use of seasonal flu, chickenpox and shingles vaccines in the primary immunodeficiency (PI) community. The study will be conducted via a survey that will determine the frequency of chickenpox, shingles and seasonal flu infections among individuals with PI. Data collected will provide information about whether immune globulin therapy may modify the clinical occurrence and severity of signs and symptoms of seasonal flu and shingles for PI patients to help immunologists create guidelines and best practices for these vaccines.

The survey, which is being conducted between May 1 and May 31, is expected to take approximately 30 minutes to complete. Individuals may refuse to answer questions or discontinue the survey at any time. Because some questions ask about past immunizations, individuals may want to obtain immunization records before beginning the survey.

Survey data is obtained and transmitted through a secure and encrypted process. All individuals’ answers are grouped together, and no personal identifying information reported or used is contained in the reporting. It is possible de-identified data (that containing no personal information) obtained from the survey may be shared with other researchers or organizations conducting PI research.

To participate in the survey, go to www.research.net/r/FGRMP5R?SCI17=1759435. Questions or concerns about this research or individual rights as a survey participant should be directed to Tiffany Henderson, survey research analyst at IDF at (800) 296.4433.