Medical Center for Clinical Research Begins Recruiting Healthy Adults for COVID-19 Vaccine Clinical Trial

covid vaccine san diego

San Diego, CA; August 10, 2020 – Medical Center for Clinical Research announced today it has begun recruiting healthy adults for a Phase 3 clinical research study to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of mRNA-1273, a vaccine candidate against COVID-19. Sponsored by Moderna, the COVE Study is recruiting healthy volunteers ages 18 or older in high-risk populations, including the elderly, racial and ethnic minorities at higher risk for COVID-19, and essential workers in close contact with potentially infected persons.

The Phase 3 study will evaluate if mRNA-1273 boosts the immune system to produce enough antibodies against SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, so it does not cause illness in case of infection.

“We are excited and hopeful as we begin participating in the COVE Study, understanding this is one of the most important and impactful clinical research studies in our lifetime,” said Dr. Grach, CEO, Wake Research. “We encourage individuals across the San Diego area to consider participating in this trial, which could bring the world one step closer to ending this global health crisis.”

To be eligible for the study, healthy volunteers must be 18 years of age and older with no known history of SARS-CoV-2 infection or previous participation in an investigational coronavirus vaccine. Within this population, Medical Center for Clinical Research is prioritizing candidates whose locations or circumstances put them at higher risk of exposure to the virus, including:

  • Elderly, ages 65 and older
  • Essential workers in close contact with potentially infected persons, including, but not limited to, healthcare and hospital workers, first responders, transit employees, institutional residents or workers, factory employees, and teachers and students
  • Racial and ethnic minorities at high risk for COVID-19

If a person is eligible and decides to participate, the research staff at Medical Center for Clinical Research will randomize patients to receive either the mRNA-1273 vaccine or a matching placebo. The total length of participation is 25 months and includes approximately seven visits to the clinic and 24 phone calls.

Medical Center for Clinical Research is one of 89 research sites across the country participating in the COVE Study. If someone is interested in participating in clinical research in their area, call

(619) 521-2841 or visit mccresearch.com to learn more.

About Medical Center for Clinical Research

Since 1994, the Medical Center for Clinical Research (MCCR) has clinically tested and evaluated both new and previously approved medical treatments. With its roots in women’s health, MCCR has studied developed treatments for a wide variety of women’s health indications as well as numerous treatments for conditions affecting both men and women. Previous study conditions have included irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), acne, migraine, overactive bladder, and benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH).

Media Contact

Andrea Clement
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