The first human trial of a vaccine against coronavirus (COVID-19) began at Kaiser Permanente Washington Health Research Institute (KPWHRI) in Seattle, the US. 

 

 

♦ The vaccine is called mRNA-1273. The vaccine has shown promise in animal models.

♦ It was developed by NIAID scientists and their collaborators at the biotechnology company Moderna, Inc., based in Cambridge, Massachusetts. 

♦ A 43-year-old woman from Seattle received the first dose. 

♦ The vaccine contains a harmless genetic code copied from the virus that causes the disease. It cannot cause COVID-19.

♦ The trial will enroll 45 healthy adult volunteers over approximately six weeks.

♦ The Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) supported the manufacturing of the vaccine candidate for the Phase 1 clinical trial.

♦ The study participants will receive two doses of the vaccine via intramuscular injection in the upper arm approximately 28 days apart.

♦ Participants will return to the clinic for follow-up visits between vaccinations and for additional visits across the span of a year after the second shot. 

♦ The participants will be monitored by the Clinicians for common vaccination symptoms, such as soreness at the injection site or fever, as well as any other medical issues. 

♦ A safety monitoring committee will also periodically review trial data and advise NIAID.