To find out if they work, they need volunteers.
Carla Garcia is one of them.
Before any vaccines were approved by the government, Carla was one of the first in Southern California to volunteer for the AstraZeneca University of Oxford vaccine trial.
“The reason why it is important for me to participate is because there is not a lot of information coming out clinically or otherwise regarding black people,” she said.
COVID-19 is disproportionately affecting African Americans, Latinos, and other ethnic groups. However, surveys show that the hesitation against the vaccine is highest in these groups.
“There needs to be some involvement of the Black population, Latino population and other minority cultures involved in the process so that we can reap the same benefits from the results.”
AstraZeneca’s approach is already being used for vaccinations against pneumonia and shingles. Researchers have adapted a cold virus to transport COVID-19 genetic material to the body. Early phase three trials showed that the AstraZeneca vaccine showed 90% efficacy in those who received a full dose and then half a dose a month later.
“Just like a flu shot, there was a sore arm the next day. It looked a lot like that.”
To vaccinate 70-80% of Americans, many more businesses need to produce vaccines. Others in the pipeline are Johnson and Johnson, Sanofi and Novavax.
“With everything going on. It’s important for us to see where we can make an impact and where we can make a difference.”
With the increase in the number of cases and deaths, Carla, who works at a plasma donation center, is worried about her colleagues in health care.
“It’s a tragedy to see where we have come in terms of the large number of people who are ill.”
Carla hopes her example will encourage more minorities to participate.
More information on vaccine trials is available from the U.S. National Institutes of Health COVID-19 Prevention Network.
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