Participants in a challenge trial stay in an inpatient facility called the challenge unit. You are reimbursed for any time participating in the study, and while you are in the challenge unit, your free time is your own.

Visit our participation page or read our blog to find out more about the challenge study participant experience.

Before any new medicine or medical device is placed on the market, it must be tested through clinical trials. Clinical trials are research studies, which require the participation of volunteer children, adults, and families to evaluate whether a new product is safe and well tolerated and whether it works to prevent or treat the problem for which it was developed. Results are then reviewed to determine if the drug, practice or medical device should be made available to the public. Clinical trials are a vital part of scientific research that play an important role in the development and evaluation of new medicines, treatments, and cures.

Yes, you may withdraw from the study for any reason at any time.

Those who withdraw from the study while still potentially contagious will be given a full course of antibiotics to resolve symptoms and be followed up with by study staff.

There will be no costs to you to take part in this study.

However, you may be impacted financially due to lost work, childcare, travel, gas, etc.

You will receive compensation for each day as an inpatient, as well as each outpatient visit you attend.

A parking pass will be provided at the end of each study visit if you park in the IWK parking garage.

It is unlikely that you will benefit directly from this study; however, there is the possibility that taking part will result in you having a degree of immunity to whooping cough.

Information gained from this study may help in the development of a new vaccine against whooping cough.

Measures to ensure your safety and protect against severe disease will be undertaken.

The study is designed to ensure there are no severe illness; however, you could potentially develop symptoms of runny nose and cough that may progress to spasms of coughing without an evident mild disease phase. Antibiotic therapy with azithromycin will be started early (within 24-48 hours of onset of symptoms), which is expected to prevent severity and reduce duration of symptoms. Even so, coughing could last about 3 weeks. The prompt antibiotic treatment should eliminate development of serious complications, such as otitis media (ear infections) or pneumonia (lung infection). You will be carefully monitored for any potential serious events.

You will also be isolated in the inpatient unit for up to 16 to 21 days. This could cause mental stress, financial pressure and loneliness. We can provide you with extra support if you experience anxiety/depression from being isolated.

Your signature on the form indicates that you have understood to your satisfaction the information regarding participation in the research project and agree to participate as a subject. In no way does this waive your legal rights nor release the investigator(s), sponsors, or involved institution(s) from their legal and professional responsibilities. If you become ill or injured as a direct result of participating in this study, necessary medical treatment will be available at no additional cost to you. You are free to withdraw from the study at any time without jeopardizing the health care you are entitled to receive.

If you have any questions at any time during or after the study about research in general or your rights as a participant, you may contact the Research Office of the IWK Health Centre at 902-470-7879, Monday to Friday between 8 am and 4 pm.

Yes, there will be wireless internet provided to the participants of the study.

Yes, we highly encourage participants to bring personal laptops and tablets.
Staff are happy to work with you to make sure your working hours are undisturbed by study procedures.

We encourage participants to interact with each other through the moderated activities implemented by staff. However, this is not an obligation to the study.

If you are participating in a challenge study, you will stay overnight in our Challenge Unit. You will be isolated in the inpatient unit for up to 16 to 21 days. You will not be able to leave before then unless you decide you no longer want to participate in the study.

Yes, participants are encouraged to bring entertainment such as books, gaming consoles, laptops, tablets, or your knitting! You may also bring personal items such as a yoga mat, blanket, or pillow.

We do ask that any cloth items be machine-washable.

Lockers are available for secure storage.