TUCSON, Ariz. — Quality of Life Medical and Research Center in Tucson will be one of 87 clinics nationwide conducting Phase 3 trials of Moderna's mRNA-1273 COVID-19 vaccine.
The study will look at 30,000 adult participants at high risk of contracting the coronavirus. The trial is now expected to begin July 27.
The mRNA-1273 vaccine is being developed to prevent COVID-19 by producing antibodies to the virus.
According to clinicaltrials.gov, the study is designed to primarily evaluate the efficacy, safety, and immunogenicity of mRNA-1273 to prevent COVID-19 for up to 2 years after the second dose of mRNA-1273.
Moderna is the first biotech company to begin coronavirus vaccines on humans. Its Phase 1 trial began in mid-March.
Participants of the Phase 3 trial will either receive the vaccine or a placebo. They will receive two doses 29 days apart. They will be tracked for two years to see whether they get COVID-19 or have any adverse reactions to the vaccine.
Participants will be routinely checked for antibodies.
Trial sites will begin registering people for the trial next week, according to Moderna. They hope to have efficacy data by Thanksgiving.
Quality of Life Medical and Research Center is located in midtown Tucson.
This is the second COVID-19 trial taking place in Tucson. Last week, AZ Clinical Trials announced a new antibody trial, with hopes of stopping the spread of COVID-19.