UPMC Among Locations Taking Part In Phase Three Of Coronavirus Vaccine Trials
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) - UPMC is among the 87 locations where trials for the next phase of a Coronavirus vaccine will be conducted.
The information about positive results in the first phase was published in the New England Journal of Medicine on Tuesday.
Forty-five volunteers participated in the first phase of trials of a vaccine developed by Moderna. The trials triggered an immune response in all of the volunteers who only experienced mild side-effects, including fatigues, chills and muscle pain.
"My mother is a double lung transplant . We're about 35 days post-op so there are talks of her and other people like her being part of this third phase study," said Cameron Preston from McKeesport.
What happens next?
The third phase of this new clinical trial begins later this month. UPMC is one of 87 hospitals where the clinical trials will be conducted.
As for when a vaccine might be available for the general public, Director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Dr. Anthony Fauci says it could be next year.
"When we'll be able to give it to everybody, that's assuming that my timetable is correct, and if it is, I think as we get into the year 2021, the companies who are involved in making the vaccines promise that we'll have many doses," Dr. Fauci said.
Once the phase three trial is complete, regulators will decide whether or not to approve the vaccine.
Moderna says it will be ready to deliver up to one billion doses per year, beginning next year.
"What we hope is that with a combo of enough people having already been exposed and a vaccine that is 70 to 75 percent effective, there will be enough herd immunity, that there will be a time when you and I don't have to worry about getting infected."
More information on the Coronavirus pandemic:
- CDC Coronavirus Information
- CDC Global Map of Confirmed COVID-19 Cases
- Pennsylvania Department of Health Information
- Allegheny County Health Department Information
Stay with KDKA for the latest on the developing story.
