A new clinical trial is now underway in Queensland, for a three-in-one vaccination against respiratory viruses.
Developed by Moderna, it’s hoped the jab can protect patients against COVID, the flu and respiratory syncytial virus, known more commonly as RSV.
The University of the Sunshine Coast will lead the Phase One trial at its South Bank clinic in Brisbane.
This will be the third time UniSC Clinical Trials is conducting a trial for Moderna, to evaluate the company’s mRNA technology.
Principal investigator Dr Nischal Sahai will oversee the trial that will assess the safety and immunogenicity of the investigational vaccine.
“This is an investigational mRNA vaccine which contains acids that are naturally found in our body’s cells. We hope that it will instruct the body to make antibodies when exposed to these three respiratory viruses.”
He says while the vaccine is still in the early stages of testing, if successful it will save people time, with fewer trips to the doctor.
“Essentially it would become one vaccine that people could go and get and be covered for three viruses, and basically get a yearly booster as opposed to going back several times. So hopefully it will achieve some compliance and convenience as well.”
More participants are needed for the study, with healthy volunteers between the ages of 50 and 75 encouraged to apply.
They will be asked to attend seven clinic visits and eight phone calls over a period of up to 13 months.
Eligible participants will also be paid for their time on the study.
“As with any clinical trial obviously it all depends on volunteers. If it weren’t for volunteers than we won’t be able to get effective medical therapies out into the community,” Dr Sahai says.
