Rapid recruitment and high quality delivery of a time critical influenza prevention study

Study overview

This study evaluated the safety and effectiveness of an investigational preventive intervention compared with placebo for the prevention of influenza. Participants received either the investigational intervention or a placebo. The study was delivered using our regional hub model, enabling rapid multi-site activation and accelerated recruitment within a narrow seasonal window.

The challenge

Influenza prevention studies are highly time‑sensitive. They require rapid site set‑up, fast recruitment during a limited seasonal period, strong participant retention, and consistently high delivery quality under close monitoring. This study was required to deliver against the 150-day national target, whilst maintaining high standards of participant care, data quality and regulatory compliance.

Our approach

The study was delivered through our coordinated regional hub model, providing:

• Centralised coordination of set‑up and approvals

• Rapid mobilisation from site initiation to first participant recruited

• Use of a participant‑friendly community hub locations

• Experienced research delivery teams with proven capability in time‑critical studies

This approach reduced operational complexity and supported efficient, high‑quality delivery.

Recruitment and activation performance

Key delivery outcomes included:

• Recruitment target exceeded: 31 participants recruited against a target of 28

• Recruitment completed within 23 days

• Site initiation to first participant recruited: 18 days

• Contracts and approvals to first participant recruited: 15 days

• Site opened ahead of deadline

• National 150‑day metric met: 96 days from submission to first participant recruited

Quality and participant experience

High‑quality delivery was maintained throughout the study. All participants remained in the study, with no withdrawals. Participants reported high satisfaction with the community hub location, particularly ease of access and parking. During the most recent monitoring visit, no issues were raised, reflecting strong compliance, data quality and study management.

This case study demonstrates our ability to:

• Activate sites rapidly for time‑critical studies

• Recruit to target at pace

• Deliver consistently high‑quality data

• Retain participants through study completion

• Provide a positive experience for participants and research partners