A coronavirus vaccine trial is looking for healthy volunteers in New Jersey as part of a Stage 3 clinical trial.
The trial is part of Moderna’s COVE study, in which 30,000 people at 89 different test sites across the country will be given a vaccine as a placebo dose.
The New Jersey trial will be conducted by Rutgers New Jersey Medical School and University Hospital in Newark. It is unclear how many participants will be from Garden State.
“We are excited and hopeful as we begin to participate in the COVE study, understanding this is one of the most important and influential clinical research studies in our lives,” said Shobha Swaminathan, the clinical research leader for NIH-funded clinical trials at Rutgers New Jersey Medical School.
“We encourage individuals across the state to participate in this trial, which could bring the world one step closer to ending this global health crisis,” she said.
The study seeks to determine if the vaccine causes an increased immune response to SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. The primary goal is a strong enough immune response to prevent disease in the event of infection, with a secondary goal to reduce the severity of infection.
Phase 3 is the final research phase for FDA approval. The total length of participation is 24 months, and will include six clinic visits and 25 phone calls.
To be eligible, participants must be over 18 without a known history of COVID-19 infection and have not previously participated in a fax study.
Preference is given to essential staff such as healthcare workers, transit staff and teachers, those over 65, and high-risk racial and ethical minorities for COVID-19.
Those selected to participate will be divided into two groups, one of whom will receive a placebo dose.
Interested participants can call 1-844-782-6765 or email [email protected].
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