At the Wesfarmers Centre of Vaccines and Infectious Diseases, based at The Kids Research Institute Australia, there are epidemiologists, microbiologists and clinical researchers all playing a vital role in the fight against the virus.
We now know that the epidemiologists are busy tracking the numbers, and the microbiologists are hard at work in the laboratory – but what happens when a potential vaccine needs to be tested? How are the clinical trials researchers involved in making sure a vaccine works and is safe for use?
In part three of this series, find out how clinical trials researchers participate in the essential final stage when developing a vaccine designed to prevent the spread of coronavirus.
The Clinical Trials Researchers
The Wesfarmers Centre of Vaccines and Infectious Diseases’ Vaccine Trials Group, led by Professor Peter Richmond, have been involved in clinical studies for the development of new meningococcal, pneumococcal, influenza and respiratory syncytial virus vaccines over the past 20 years.
“In the case of COVID-19, our researchers and study nurses are collaborating with hospitals and medical research institutes around Australia and the world by participating in large-scale testing of potential new vaccines and treatments,” says Professor Richmond.
“In the past, clinical studies around new vaccines such as Meningococcal ACWY and Human Papillomavirus (HPV) to prevent cervical cancer have taken over 10 years, but in this situation, we don’t have that long so the process needs to be much quicker.
“We will be involved in studies that include repurposing existing medications and vaccines to see if they can be used to treat or prevent COVID-19 or reduce spread of the virus.
“Our first study, BRACE, is already underway - we are collaborating with Perth Children’s Hospital, WA Health Services and the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute in Melbourne to investigate if an existing tuberculosis vaccine can reduce COVID-19 infection in healthcare workers.
“Results from these studies will then be used to inform government vaccination policies and recommendations and provide essential safety information.
“We are looking forward to evaluating potential vaccines in the near future, so working together with hospital colleagues and understanding how the coronavirus causes disease will be an important part of that process,” concludes Professor Richmond.
Please visit the Wesfarmers Centre of Vaccines and Infectious Diseases website for more information about the work of the Centre’s infectious disease researchers or to access additional COVID-19 resources for your family.
Read more
What are our epidemiologists doing behind the scenes during the coronavirus pandemic?
What role do our microbiologists play during the coronavirus pandemic?