Hundreds of people in our area will soon be able to test a new COVID-19 vaccine

PITTSBURGH — Pittsburgh has been selected as one of a select number of nationwide sites to hold a clinical vaccine trial for fighting COVID-19.

Doctors from both UPMC and the University of Pittsburgh expect more than 750 people - over the age of 18 - to participate locally.

Pittsburgh is one of 87 locations around the country chosen to take part in the Moderna trials. Their first phase of the trial showed the vaccine triggered an immune response in all 45 volunteers who got it.

The ideal volunteer will have a higher likelihood of acquiring COVID-19 or of having complications if they should get the virus, researchers said during a news conference Wednesday.

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“This vaccine uses a synthetic messenger RNA which delivers instructions to the cells which tell them to produce proteins that’s similar to those that are on the SAVRS COVI-2 virus,” said Dr. Judy Martin of UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh. “That provokes a response in the immune system so that your body has been prepared.”

The study will last for two years and will include blood tests to show the participant’s immune response to the vaccine.

Participants will be randomly assigned to receive either the study vaccine or a placebo (saline) injection, according to a news release. No one will know whether the participant received the study vaccine or placebo until the end of the study. The person will receive an initial immunization, which may be followed by a booster four weeks later.

If you’re interested, you can register HERE.

RAW: UPMC provides updates on patient care and systemwide plans RAW: UPMC provides updates on patient care and systemwide plans

Cox Media Group