UIC to take part in clinical trial for COVID-19 vaccine

The University of Illinois at Chicago will take part in a new trial to test the efficiency of a COVID-19 vaccine developed by biotech company Moderna.

The phase three clinical trial, set to launch July 9, will be administered by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease. The trial plans to enroll 30,000 individuals, including 1,000 through the UIC trial.

“UIC has a history of engaging diverse communities in our research programs and I believe our ability to reach the communities that have been hardest hit by the pandemic is one of the reasons that we were selected for this clinical trial,” said Dr. Richard Novak, lead investigator of the clinical trial at UIC.

The vaccine candidate is an RNA-based vaccine designed to help the body produce antibodies that protect against COVID-19.

Researchers will collect basic demographic and health information and blood samples from participants and will follow them for two years. That includes a weekly check to monitor for symptoms. Researchers will conduct COVID-19 testing if symptoms develop and will take additional blood samples to test for antibodies.

Investigators will screen volunteers to ensure that at least 40 percent of participants are 65 years or older.

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