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An investigational AstraZeneca coronavirus vaccine is one of three currently in late testing, and Oregonians have a chance to participate.
Officials asked those interested in participating in a Portland-area trial administered by Oregon Health & Science University to visit the vaccine study’s website or call 888-VAC-STDY to see if they were eligible and for more information. Phase 3 clinical trials test investigational drugs on larger groups of people than earlier stage trials.
To participate, volunteers must follow several guidelines, including:
1. Do you have stable medical conditions or no medical problems? May be eligible
2. Are you pregnant? Not eligible
3. Have you ever been diagnosed with COVID-19? Not eligible.
4. Do you live within a 90 minute drive of the OHSU campus in Southwest Portland. May be eligible.
Those chosen to participate will be followed for two years, officials said. The university hopes to enroll a diverse cohort of participants, officials said. Participation in the trial does not guarantee that someone will receive the vaccine. The vaccine study news site says:
In this study, participants will be randomly (randomly) assigned to receive 2 injections of the experimental vaccine or the placebo (4 weeks apart). A placebo looks like the experimental vaccine but does not contain any active vaccine. You are twice as likely to receive the experimental vaccine as you are to receive the placebo.
On Monday, Moderna Inc., which is developing one of the other candidate vaccines, planned to ask U.S. and European regulators to allow emergency use of its treatment to start vaccinations as early as next month. Pfizer is also seeking approval for its vaccine.
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