A possible coronavirus vaccine has moved into phase 3 trials and Michiganders will have the opportunity to participate in the study.
Henry Ford Health System is one of approximately 90 health care systems across the country, and the only hospital system in Michigan, chosen as the test site for the Modern mRNA-1273 Coronavirus Efficacy (COVE) study.
The health system is enrolling volunteers in the randomized double-blind study to determine if a two-dose vaccine prevents COVID-19 infection in those exposed to the coronavirus. The final phase study aims to enroll 30,000 volunteers across the country in the study.
“Henry Ford Health System is proud to be part of the fight against this deadly virus,” a statement said on the hospital’s website. “As one of the region’s leading academic medical centers with more than $ 100 million in annual research funding, Henry Ford is involved in numerous COVID-19 efforts with partners around the world.”
Dr. Anthony Fauci, the country’s leading infectious disease expert, said he is “cautiously optimistic” and the possible vaccine, according to a report by the Washington Post.
Vaccines are typically made from a weakened or inactive virus. However, the study vaccine mRNA-1273 is not made from the SARS-CoV-2 virus, according to Henry Ford Health System.
The test vaccine is made from messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA), a genetic code that tells cells how to make proteins. Protein is a small part of the virus that is believed to help the body’s immune system make antibodies to fight the virus.
Participation in the study is voluntary. Interested residents can apply to participate in the study, here. Participants must be at least 18 years of age and cannot be pregnant or immunodeficient.
Ratings include those at high risk for COVID-19 infection due to their pre-existing location, circumstances, age, or medical conditions, as well as health adults with no history of COVID-19 and those who are free from prior exposure to a vaccine under investigation or treatment for COVID-19.
Those who meet the study parameters will go through an informed consent process, where they will have the opportunity to ask questions about participation before enrolling in the study.
The hospital system requests that health care workers and first responders interested in the study bring their employment credentials to their first in-person enrollment meeting with study coordinators.
Participants will receive two injections spaced one month apart. They will then visit their enrollment site five more times and talk to the study coordinators about 24 times over two years.
“During that time, participants will be closely monitored by the study team for COVID-19 symptoms and will be tested to see if they have produced the antibodies to protect them from the coronavirus,” reads an explanation of the study. “If a participant is diagnosed with COVID-19 during their time in the study, the study team will provide the highest level of care because the health and safety of each participant are our top priorities.”
Trial participants have a 50% chance of receiving the study vaccine or a placebo, which will be a sterile saline solution without an active vaccine. The study vaccine cannot cause infection or disease, according to the hospital system.
The potential vaccine is being developed by Moderna in collaboration with the National Institute of Health.
Pharmaceutical giant Pfizer and BioNTech, a small German company, have also announced a 30,000-person trial of their potential coronavirus vaccine. The company, which has a production facility in Kalamazoo County, has reached a $ 1.95 billion agreement with the United States government to supply up to 100 million doses of its vaccine by the end of the year.
The Pfizer vaccine is expected to start Phase 2b / 3 soon and will also enroll up to 30,000 subjects. The regulatory review could begin in October 2020, according to a White House announcement.
As of Monday, July 27, Michigan had reported 78,507 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 6,154 deaths related to infectious respiratory disease. New daily cases in the state have increased in recent weeks, although new deaths remain low and the percentage of tests that have tested positive has been less than 4% on average.
For more information on the Modern Cove vaccine study, visit the Henry Ford Health System website here.
COVID-19 PREVENTION TIPS
In addition to washing their hands regularly and not touching their faces, officials recommend practicing social distancing, assuming anyone can carry the virus.
Health officials say you should stay at least 6 feet away from others and work from home, if possible.
Use sanitizing wipes or sanitizing spray cleaners on frequently touched surfaces in your home (door handles, faucets, countertops) and carry hand sanitizer when you go to places like stores.
Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer has also issued executive orders requiring people to cover their faces with their mouths and noses in closed, outdoor public spaces. See an explanation of what that means here.
Additional information is available at Michigan.gov/Coronavirus and CDC.gov/Coronavirus.
For more information on COVID-19 in Michigan, visit https://www.mlive.com/coronavirus/data/.
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