How to Volunteer for Coronavirus Vaccine Research

The first phase 3 trials of the coronavirus vaccine began this week, with 30,000 volunteers planned by the time it ends, and more Phase 3 trials are likely to begin soon. , the only way to know how safe and effective it is is to try it with volunteers.

Vaccine trials in humans, like drug trials, take place in three phases . In the first two, the researchers determine the appropriate dose, make sure that any side effects are not too severe and, of course, that the vaccine elicits an immune response. The third phase is the “ultimate test,” medical scientist John Cook told us . It involves a large number of volunteers who receive an experimental vaccine or placebo; this is how we find out if the vaccine actually works in the real world.

What happens if you volunteer?

The first step is to fill out a questionnaire that will help researchers determine if you are the volunteer they are looking for. Each study has its own selection criteria based on things like age and health history. You can see the criteria for Moderna’s research here in its entry at ClinicalTrials.gov .

The Coronavirus Prevention Network maintains a roster of volunteers for vaccine and antibody testing across the country, and you can register here .

The registration process and participation in the study will include a visit to the research center – usually about 10 visits over a year or two. These visits may include a physical examination, blood sampling, injections, or infusions. Volunteers are paid for their time. The Coronavirus Prevention Network does not provide a specific amount, as fees vary by study and location, but fees for long-term research can run into the hundreds of dollars.

When you sign up for a study – be it a vaccine or something else – the study results will be explained to you with a clear discussion of the risks and benefits, and you can ask questions. You can always opt-out or opt-out of the study at any time.

Will people be exposed to the virus as part of the trial?

You will not be given a virus. Studies that deliberately infect humans are called challenge studies and are not currently being considered for trials of the COVID-19 vaccine.

However, the whole idea of ​​testing a vaccine is to see if it protects you from the virus. The research is only for people who have not yet had COVID-19; Then they will wait to see if you get it or not.

Is this a good opportunity or a risky one?

This is potentially both. If you’re lucky, you might be on the sidelines of a trial that gets a real vaccine (instead of a placebo), and the vaccine could be effective. Congratulations!

But you can get a vaccine and the vaccine may have harmful side effects. On the other hand, this is information that researchers need to know – and perhaps your experience will lead to a harmful vaccine being written off, or a better understanding of who the vaccine can harm in rare cases and why.

Or, you may receive a placebo. There is no way to find out. You can also get the vaccine, but it will not protect you. You definitely shouldn’t act like you are protected just because you are participating in a vaccine trial.

Testing a new vaccine is inherently risky, and that’s the whole reason for testing — so that the treatment can be tested first on people who know what they agree with and who are closely watched, rather than spreading it out to everyone. before the risks and benefits are well understood.