PORTLAND, Ore. — Oregon Health & Science University is looking for adults who live in the Portland area to take part in a research study into the safety and effectiveness of a potential COVID-19 vaccine.
OHSU is involved in a Phase 3 clinical trial to evaluate the vaccine candidate developed by Oxford University and pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca known as ASD1222.
OHSU is the only Oregon institution involved in the third phase of this clinical trial.
The national clinical trial is looking to enroll 40,000 participants nationwide, according to OHSU. Those selected will receive two injections four weeks apart and will be monitored for two years.
The university is looking for a diverse group of people to participate in the trial and will "prioritize the enrollment of individuals who are older than 55 and Black, Indigenous and People of Color," OHSU said in a press release.
To reach communities hit hardest by the pandemic, Dr. Marcel Curlin, OHSU's lead investigator on the study and associate professor of infectious disease in the School of Medicine, has been meeting with different groups to describe the trial and encourage participation.
"It's very important to have all these groups represented and not be left behind as we go forward with research," Curlin told KGW. "So, when something comes out we know it works in all those groups and it's accessible to those groups. You need both of those things."
Here are the other eligibility requirements for the study:
- 18 or older
- Not pregnant
- Stable medical condition or no medical issues
- Not previously diagnosed with COVID-19
- Live within 1.5 hours of the OHSU Marquam Hill/South Waterfront campus in Portland
"Oregon Health & Science University is proud to contribute to the world’s most pressing challenge right now: identifying a safe and effective COVID-19 vaccine for everyone," said OHSU President Danny Jacobs. "We're asking Portland-area residents to volunteer for this trial and help bring all of us closer to stopping this devastating pandemic."
The initial Phase 1/2 trial of the vaccine showed that it "generated a robust immune response and led to mild or moderate adverse reactions such as headaches, fatigue and chills."
This research trial will be a randomized, double-blind study, with two-thirds of participants receiving the experimental vaccine and one-third receiving a placebo.
"It's both historic, it's tragic and it's affecting everybody," Dr. Curlin said. "So, for us to be involved in fighting for the solution is really -- it's an honor. It feels like a real opportunity to help people. It is terrifically important."
Curlin said although vaccines are moving ahead and going before the FDA for emergency use authorization, it's critical that clinical trials and studies continue. It's also critical the nation, and world, have more than one type of vaccine proven safe and effective against the novel coronavirus in the market.
Studies provide a clean and complete understanding of a vaccine's efficacy and safety.
"Is this vaccine safe for me and will it work? We absolutely have to know that information and be transparent about how we get it. And we have to have people have confidence in how they get it. The way we do that is these Phase 3 studies and showing all the data from these studies," Curlin added.
Portland-area adults interested in enrolling in the trial can get more information here or by calling 888-VAC-STDY (888-822-7839).