Volunteers needed for next phase of trials on Qld COVID-19 vaccine

A call has been put out today for volunteers to take part in the next stage of clinical trials on Queensland’s coronavirus vaccine.

On 13 July Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk put the call out for 120 volunteers aged between 18 and 55 to take part in clinical trials for the University of Queensland’s coronavirus vaccine – widely recognised to be one of the most promising vaccine candidates.

Deputy Premier and Minister for Health Steven Miles said following positive results from the first stage of testing, UQ now has approval to extend phase one clinical trials to people aged 56 and over.

Mr Miles said developing a vaccine was vital to ending this pandemic.
“The Palaszczuk Government has thrown its support behind the work the University of Queensland is doing to deliver a vaccine – we’re proud of the work they have done so far,” Mr Miles said.

Mr Miles said developing a vaccine was vital to ending this pandemic.

“The Palaszczuk Government has thrown its support behind the work the University of Queensland is doing to deliver a vaccine – we’re proud of the work they have done so far,” Mr Miles said.

“I offer my thanks to the more than 100 Queenslanders who answered the call to take part in the first round of clinical trials.

“Today we’re putting the call out to 96 Queenslanders aged 56 and over to take part in clinical trials.

“This pandemic is the biggest challenge we’ve ever had to face.

“By taking part in these clinical trials, you could play a very real role in saving lives.”

Innovation Minister Kate Jones said that the government’s investment of $10 million has helped to fast-track the University of Queensland’s research and vaccine development.

“There is light at the end of the tunnel. Today’s announcement is a great step in the right direction,” Ms Jones said.

“This vaccine has the potential to save millions of lives.

“We’re urging Queenslanders to answer the call – make history by being part of the most important clinical trials that will be conducted in our generation.

“The team at UQ have been working night and day to deliver a vaccine for coronavirus. Their work is paying off.”

UQ vaccine project co-leader Professor Paul Young said the Phase 1 human trial was being expanded to help gauge the vaccine’s safety among an older demographic as well as the immune response elicited.

“As most people are now aware, COVID-19 appears to be more severe in older individuals,” he said.

“We’re looking to ensure that this vaccine candidate is safe for use in older people, and we’re hoping Queenslanders get behind us and sign up.

“By conducting this expanded safety study, we’ll gather key data to support the large-scale efficacy trials that our partners at CSL are planning to run in the near future.”

The Phase 1 trial is being conducted at Nucleus Network’s Brisbane clinic.

Nucleus Network’s Principal Investigator Associate Professor Paul Griffin said the study would now be recruiting 48 volunteers between 56-65 years of age and another 48 volunteers aged 66 years and over.  “We’d encourage anyone in this age bracket who would like to make a difference in this challenging time to get in touch and we can assess their suitability for this important trial,” Professor Griffin said. “Participants are generally required to be in good health, and any existing medical conditions need to have been stable for the last few months.

Project director Professor Trent Munro said early safety results from the human trials had been positive, indicating the vaccine was  generally well tolerated in healthy volunteers aged between 18 and 55.

“We’re moving as quickly as is safely possible, and it’s now time for Queenslanders to step up again.”

Fellow project co-leader Associate Professor Keith Chappell said for older Queenslanders – if there ever was a time to volunteer – it was now.

“If you’ve ever wanted to get involved and make a difference, and you fit the requirements for this trial, definitely consider stepping up to help us beat COVID-19,” he said.

“We’re working on a very compressed timeline – aiming to start this study in just a couple of weeks.”

UQ and CEPI entered into a partnership in June with Australian biotech company CSL to take the rapid response ‘molecular clamp’ enabled vaccine candidate through clinical development and manufacture, if it proves successful.

Anyone who would like to participate can register with Nucleus Network online, or by calling 1800 243 733.

ENDS

Media contact:      Amy Hunter – 0423 651 484 (Deputy Premier’s office)

                               Jack Harbour – 0419 620 447 (Minister Jones’ office)