US Vaccine Candidate Heads To Widespread Testing In People

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Biotech company Moderna, headquartered in Cambridge, Massachusetts, announced today that it is beginning Phase 3 trials of its COVID-19 vaccine. It will enroll up to 30,000 volunteers.

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All You Wanted To Know About Coronavirus Vaccine Science But Were Afraid To Ask

The Moderna vaccine is a new kind of vaccine based on the genetic material that makes up the coronavirus. Snippets of RNA (a chemical cousin of DNA) are enclosed in a nano-capsule and injected into someone’s arm. The RNA contains instructions to make a protein found of the outer surface of the coronavirus. This protein is what stimulates the immune system to make antibodies against the virus. The idea is that if this harmless protein in the vaccine can generate those antibodies, then if the vaccinated individual is exposed to the virus, their immune system will be able to fight it off.

The Phase 3 trail will take place at 89 centers around the United States. To find out more or join the study go to ClinicalTrials.gov and search identifier NCT04470427, or go to https://www.coronaviruspreventionnetwork.org/.