Description

Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is an autoimmune disease in which T cells attack and destroy the insulin-producing β cells in the pancreatic islets. In theory, immunotherapies aimed at re-programming the immune system to avoid β cell destruction is a promising strategy to prevent T1D or delay onset of overt disease.

In this trial we test the hypothesis that influenza vaccination is superior to no influenza vaccination in sustaining β cell function in early T1D. Secondary outcome measures include change in autoantibodies directed against antigens present in the pancreatic islets, measures of severity of disease, change in inflammatory markers, and antibody titers against the four viruses included in the vaccine.

Despite improvements in care, T1D is a leading cause of debilitating complications and early death globally. Children with residual β cell function are at lower risk for severe hypoglycemia, have better diabetes regulation, and have lower insulin requirements compared to children without residual β cell function. Thus, a simple, cheap treatment to mitigate T1D is highly warranted.