COVID-19 vaccine trials to begin soon, volunteers being recruited in Seattle

Kaiser Permanente Washington Health Research Institute is asking for volunteers to participate in a study that will test an "investigational vaccine" for SARS-CoV-2, which is the virus that causes COVID-19. Kaiser Permanente Washington Health Research Institute is asking for volunteers to participate in a study that will test an "investigational vaccine" for SARS-CoV-2, which is the virus that causes COVID-19. Photo: Tim Boyle/Getty Images Photo: Tim Boyle/Getty Images Image 1 of / 18 Caption Close COVID-19 vaccine trials to begin soon, volunteers being recruited in Seattle 1 / 18 Back to Gallery

Volunteers are being recruited in the Seattle area to take part in a clinical trial for a COVID-19 vaccine.

Kaiser Permanente Washington Health Research Institute is asking for volunteers to participate in a study that will test an "investigational vaccine" for SARS-CoV-2, which is the virus that causes COVID-19. The experimental vaccine is an mRNA nucleic acid vaccine, meaning it is made up of a segment of mRNA rather than the whole virus.

"The goal of the study is to learn about the safety of the vaccine and how the immune system responds to it," Kaiser Permanente wrote in a post on its website.

The vaccine has never before been administered to humans, but it is similar to vaccines developed previously for the Zika virus.

"When injected into the body, the mRNA causes cells to make that protein, which can trigger an immune response. If the person is later infected with the SARS-CoV-2 virus, their prior immune response may help them react to the infection with an increased immune response to fight the invading virus. The vaccine mRNA breaks down naturally and does not remain in the body," Kasier Permanente said in its post.

Eligible volunteers include healthy adults ages 18 to 55. People with certain medical conditions affecting the immune system will not be eligible. Volunteers who take part in the study are expected to go to 11 in-person study visits -- one initial screening, two vaccination visits and eight follow-ups -- and participate in four phone calls over the course of 14 months.

The study will include three groups -- each made up of 15 people -- who will get varying doses of the vaccine, all 28 days apart. The first group will receive 25 microgram doses, the second 100 microgram and the third 250 microgram.

Participants will receive $100 for each visit they attend, with a total of $1,100 for attending all of the visits. Those interested are asked to fill out a survey online.

The vaccine trial comes as there have been dozens of confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the region. Public health officials have been putting out guidelines and recommendations for how people can stay safe and healthy, including washing their hands often and avoiding touching their face.

Several big businesses in the are have been recommending or mandating that employees work from home when possible and several schools and universities have canceled classes or moved to remote learning in attempts to prevent the spread of the virus. Events in the area have also been canceled as people are being encouraged to avoid large crowds when possible.

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