Syracuse, NY – Upstate Medical University began injecting people today with an experimental Covid-19 vaccine as part of a large study by the pharmaceutical company Pfizer that will include 30,000 people in the United States, Brazil, Argentina, and Germany.
Upstate is one of 62 research centers across the country participating in the study. It is seeking volunteers to participate in the study to assess the safety and performance of the potential vaccine.
Four people received the vaccine in the northern state this morning, said Dr. Tim Endy, president of microbiology and immunology in the northern state.
There are no approved vaccines to prevent Covid-19 that has spread worldwide since the beginning of this year.
Pfizer is developing its potential vaccine with BioNTech, a German company. There are plenty of other companies vying to come out with a vaccine as the United States faces an increase in Covid-19 cases.
Moderna, a Massachusetts biotech company, also began a large clinical trial in the United States this week with another Covid-19 vaccine.
The federal government has agreed to pay $ 1.95 billion to buy 100 million doses of the Pfizer vaccine later this year if the study shows it is safe and effective. The deal was signed as part of “Operation Warp Speed,” the Trump administration’s effort to accelerate the development and production of vaccines and treatments to combat the new coronavirus.
Dr. Anthony Fauci, the federal government’s chief infectious disease expert, said Tuesday that he is “cautiously optimistic” that a viable Covid-19 vaccine may be available this fall.
Pfizer said its potential vaccine emerged as a strong candidate based on evaluations of its safety and immune response. The company said in a statement that there were no serious adverse events among the 120 people who received the vaccine in an earlier study. He said the mild to moderate side effects of the experimental vaccine included fever, fatigue and chills.
The study in the north of the state will be randomized. That means that some participants will receive a placebo and others, the potential vaccine. Most of the study team will not know which individuals receive the placebo or the experimental vaccine.
To be eligible for the study, people must be in good health, between the ages of 18-85, and able to commit to the study for two years. Volunteers must provide blood samples for up to two years after receiving the vaccine / placebo. Individuals can be seen up to ten times during the two-year study period. The two-year timeline for the study is important to assess long-term safety and immune response.
Upstate said that individuals will be compensated for their participation and will not incur any costs for participating in the study.
People who previously tested positive for Covid-19 are not eligible to participate. Blood tests can show whether the vaccine triggers an immune response in participants that could fight the virus.
During their first two study visits, participants will receive either the study vaccine or the placebo injection. Nasal swabs for the Covid-19 test will also be collected during these times. During the other study visits below, blood samples will be taken.
For seven days after receiving the placebo / study vaccine, participants should keep a daily record of any specific reactions.
People interested in participating in the study can call 315-464-9869 or send an email to [email protected] for more information.
James T. Mulder covers health news. Do you have a news tip? Contact him at (315) 470-2245 or [email protected]
