A medical research company in Omaha is part of a large clinical trial to determine whether a vaccine for COVID-19 can safely protect people against the virus. Meridian Clinical Research Center launched the project Monday, and is looking for 350 volunteers to take the vaccine.
Principal Investigator Brandon Essink said the trial is in need of people who at a higher risk for contracting the virus, including through work, medical reasons, or other factors. Essink said he doesn’t think it will be difficult to get the 350 volunteers needed.
“Nebraska is a great place to do clinical research because there's a lot of very altruistic people," he said. "There are lots of people volunteering, it’s just making sure that they meet those specific criteria.”
Essink said it’s important that people take part in critical clinical trials like this one.
“Being involved in pharmaceutical research really can help thousands and thousands, if not millions of people. Those are the real heroes here, the subjects that are willing to come in and be part of a trial and you know we just keep encouraging people to get involved if they can.”
The trial launched Monday and will take place over a period of two years, with checkpoints throughout the process.