Adapting COVID-19 research infrastructure to capture influenza and RSV alongside SARS-CoV-2 in UK healthcare workers winter 2022/23: Evaluation of the SIREN Winter Pressures pilot study

Abstract

Background: In 2022, with high early winter respiratory virus circulation, SIREN, a prospective healthcare worker cohort study monitoring SARS-CoV-2, ran a pilot study introducing multiplex PCR testing for SARS-CoV-2, influenza A/B, and RSV to investigate winter pressures. Three pathways were trialled: (A) on-site swabbing with local laboratory testing, (B) on-site swabbing with UKHSA-commissioned laboratory testing, and (C) postal swabbing with UKHSA-commissioned laboratory testing. Here, we compare pathways in relation to recruitment, testing coverage, participant acceptability, and UKHSA SIREN research team feedback. Methods: We conducted a mixed methods evaluation using metrics of quality assurance and study fidelity (participant recruitment and retention; multiplex PCR testing timing and coverage), an adapted NIHR ‘participant in research’ feedback questionnaire, and thematic analysis of a UKHSA SIREN research team workshop. Results: With 7,774 participants recruited, target recruitment (N=7,500) was achieved. Thirty-nine sites took part in the sub-study (4,289 participants). Thirty-three used pathway A, and six used pathway B. 3,485 participants enrolled to pathway C (27.8% of invitees). The median number of tests per participant was similar across pathways (6; 4; 5). However, sites using local laboratories showed a wide variation in the date they switched to multiplex testing (28th November 2022 to 16th March 2023). Consequently, influenza and RSV testing coverage was higher for pathways using UKHSA-commissioned laboratories (100.0% vs 45.6% at local laboratories). 1,204/7,774 (15.5%) participants completed the feedback survey. All pathways were acceptable to participants; 98.9% of postal and 97.5% of site-based participants ‘would consider taking part again’. Conclusion: Transitioning SARS-CoV-2 PCR testing to include influenza and RSV was challenging to achieve rapidly across multiple sites. The postal testing pathway proved more agile, and UKHSA-commissioned laboratory testing provided more comprehensive data collection than local laboratory testing. This sub-study indicates that postal protocols are effective, adaptable at pace, and acceptable to participants.