The Medical Center and Rochester Regional Health are investigating a new potential coronavirus vaccine developed by Pfizer and BioNTech. The randomized placebo-controlled clinical trial will recruit 90 individuals in the Rochester area ages 18 to 85 who have not been infected with COVID-19 and will evaluate the safety, tolerability, and immunogenicity of up to four variations of the vaccine. Pfizer contracted with the Medical Center to conduct the clinical trial in Rochester; the recruitment of study volunteers and testing of the vaccine will occur at Rochester General Hospital. The study is the only active COVID-19 vaccine clinical trial in upstate New York, and Rochester is one of only four sites in the U.S. that will be conducting early stage studies of the vaccine.
Edward Walsh, a professor of medicine, and Ann Falsey, a professor of medicine and co-director of the Medical Center’s Vaccine Trials and Evaluation Unit, are leading the Rochester arm of the study. Both are members of the Infectious Disease Unit at Rochester General Hospital. “While the scientific and medical community are moving at an unprecedented speed to advance vaccine candidates, it is critical that this effort be conducted in a rigorous manner that evaluates the safety and efficacy of potential vaccines,” says Walsh. “This new clinical trial is the first step in that process.”
Individuals interested in learning more about volunteering for the study should call (585) 922-5944 or email rghcovidvaccinetrial@rochesterregional.org.
The study is the latest in Rochester research focusing on coronavirus and COVID-19. That work includes a separate study on a potential drug treatment and other research efforts across the University.