Trumenba Study among Students (TruSS)

The purpose of the TruSS research study is to better understand the immune response to Trumenba® vaccine. Trumenba® vaccine was licensed in the US in 2014 and is available at health clinics to help protect teens and young adults against meningococcal disease caused by group B (MenB).

Meningococcal disease is a relatively rare but serious bacterial infection that can lead to lifelong complications, and even death, and young adults are at increased risk.

Since 2011, all meningococcal outbreaks that occurred on college campuses were caused by Men B.

We are conducting this study because we want to learn more about the immune response to this vaccine to better prevent outbreaks and protect young adults in the future.

You may be eligible for this study if:

  • You are 18 -23 years old at the time of enrollment.
  • You are currently enrolled as a student at the UMN and anticipate being on campus for the current and following semester.
  • You have not previously received any MenB vaccines.
  • You do not have an illness or condition that makes giving a blood sample inadvisable.
  • Everyone in the study will complete two in-person study visits over seven months.
    • During these visits, you will complete a questionnaire, give a copy of your vaccination records, and give a small sample of blood.
  • Study visits will take place on the UMN campus in the Phillips-Wangensteen Building
  • After consenting, you will be asked to decide if you would like to receive the vaccine.
    • If you decide to get vaccinated, you can go to Boynton Health Clinic or another health clinic to receive the Trumenba® vaccine.
    • Trumenba® vaccine requires two shots, six months apart. You will be responsible for scheduling your own vaccination appointments. You will be reimbursed for the cost of the vaccine.
    • If you choose not to get vaccinated, you will only attend the two study visits.
  • All participants:
    • You will receive $25 in Target gift cards for each of the two study visits you complete.
    • You will receive an additional $50 in Target gift cards for completing both study visits on time, for a total of $100.
  • Participants who choose to get vaccinated at a clinic:
    • You will also be reimbursed for any medical costs associated with your decision to get the vaccine and you will receive additional $25 in Target gift cards for each vaccine appointment attended on time.
    • You will receive a total of $150 plus reimbursement of medical costs associated with vaccination for completing both study visits and two vaccination appointments on time.

If you are interested in signing up for the study, the first step is to check your eligibility.

Find out if you’re eligible.

It should only take 5 minutes to complete the eligibility form.

You may sign up for the study at any time. Study visits for new participants are scheduled during the months of September, October, February, March, April, and May.

Researchers at the University of Minnesota School of Public Health are conducting this study to learn more about the meningococcal B vaccine Trumenba®. The vaccine was licensed by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) based on evidence that it is safe and effective. The vaccine has been used to prevent and control several MenB outbreaks that have occurred on college campuses.

Now that the vaccine is licensed, we want to learn more about how long the vaccine protects and how broadly the vaccine protects against a wide range of meningococcal bacteria. This study is being funded by the US National Institutes of Health because the results could help shape vaccination recommendations for college students in the US in the future.

Here are a few additional resources for more information. If you click on any of the links below, you will be directed to an outside website. These sites are not in any way associated with the TruSS study, the study investigators, or the University of Minnesota.

Absolutely! Please share our flier with your friends and your student groups.

Download the flier (PDF)

You can also to share this page on your social media accounts (Twitter, Facebook, etc).

You can request your vaccination record from

  • Your own health provider.
  • Boynton Health
  • The Minnesota Immunization Information Connection for any vaccines you’ve received in Minnesota, even if you’re not a MN resident. View the MIIC Immunization Record Request Form.
  • Your home state’s immunization registry

How should I request reimbursement for the medical costs associated with the Trumenba® vaccine?

You can request reimbursement for costs associated with the Trumenba® vaccine by submitting your bill using the TruSS Reimbursement Request Form.

Participation in this research study is voluntary. The study has been reviewed by the UMN Institutional Review Board (#00007174). This study is led by Dr. Angela Urlich, PhD, Assistant Professor in the UMN School of Public Health and is funded by the US National Institutes of Health. Last updated July 15, 2021.

Find out if you’re eligible

Check eligibility

Contact Us

Have questions or want more information?

612-301-TRUS (8787)
truss@umn.edu

TruSS Reimbursement Request Form (For current participants only)

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