COVID-19 vaccine trials to start at Morayfield

Morayfield Health Hub will be the first centre in the Moreton Bay Region to be used for COVID-19 vaccine research.

The clinic, in Dickson Rd, is one of two being used by USC (University of the Sunshine Coast) Clinical Trials. The second is at the USC site in Sippy Downs.

They are the first sites outside Australia’s major cities to be used for research into a coronavirus vaccine.

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The study requires healthy participants aged 18 to 84 years who are non-smokers and have not previously contracted COVID-19.

Participants will be required to attend approximately six clinic visits over seven months.

The centre’s principal investigator Dr Sue Thackwray will oversee the “healthy volunteers” clinical trial, which aims to identify the optimal dose and safety of a COVID-19 vaccine developed by US-based Novavax, Inc.

“We are excited to be participating in worldwide research to find a vaccine against COVID-19, which is a serious and life-threatening disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus,” Dr Thackwray says.

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USC Clinical Trials Director Lucas Litewka says the vaccine research forms an integral part of the centre’s goal of bringing advanced treatments and breakthrough therapies to the region.

“Bringing COVID-19 research to the Sunshine Coast and Moreton Bay allows these communities to take part in the race to resolve a global pandemic, hopefully accelerating the arrival of a viable vaccine,” he says.

Queensland’s Deputy Premier and Minister for Health Steven Miles says it is great to see Queenslanders involved in the global fight against COVID-19.

“I want to thank the researchers involved in making this happen,” Mr Miles says. “There is plenty of scientific talent in our regional universities and we are all in this fight together.

“I encourage anyone interested in being involved to sign up on the USC website.”

Those interested in participating can find more information online or phone 5456 3797.