COVID-19 Vaccine Trial Underway in South Texas

SAN ANTONIO – The first round of people who participated in a trial of the COVID-19 vaccine in South Texas received one dose on Thursday.

The Pfizer double-blind trial is different from a vaccine trial conducted by Moderna, which will begin on Friday after being delayed for a few days.

“I can’t think of a more important clinical trial to participate than this, as this is the biggest health threat of my life,” said Dr. Steven Davis, one of the first participants to participate in the Pfizer trial. “I’m a big believer in clinical trials. We, in my own practice, do clinical trials. And if it weren’t for clinical trials, we wouldn’t have things like the polio vaccine.”

Although the trial is a double-blind study and Davis is unsure whether he, his wife, or his son will receive the actual vaccine or a placebo, he said he is pleased to have the opportunity to participate.

“They want to evaluate people over 65 years old. And I and my wife are over 65 years old. They want to evaluate people who are directly involved in health care. And both me and my son, who work in my office, are directly involved in medical care, “Davis said.

Texas biotech facility at College Station leveraged to mass-produce potential COVID-19 vaccine

To participate in the Pfizer test, you must be 18 years of age or older and call Clinical Trials of Texas, the laboratory that conducts the study, to be tested.

“We want to know and try to determine … If they have a disease or condition, is it under control? We want to know what medications they are taking,” said CTT Executive Director Kay Scroggins.

Like the other trials, the researchers assure participants that they cannot become infected with the coronavirus by receiving the Pfizer vaccine, which is not alive.

“It is a particle of the virus. And so, when the virus is administered, it will hopefully generate an immune response,” Scroggins said.

If the trial is successful and everything goes according to plan, the Pfizer vaccine may be available to the public early next year.

UK scientists to immunize hundreds with coronavirus vaccine

Clinical Trials of Texas is looking to screen thousands more to participate in the two-year Pfizer study, as well as at least two other COVID-19 vaccine test studies expected to begin in the coming months.

For more information call 210-949-0122 or click here.