Volunteers needed for coronavirus vaccine trial in Wilmington

Trial Management Associates and Wrightsville Family Practice are currently seeking volunteers for a COVID-19 vaccine trial to begin in mid-July in the Wilmington area.

Posted 11:48 p.m. Jun 24, 2020 — Updated 11:55 p.m. Jun 24, 2020

Heather Leah

, WRAL multiplatform producer

WILMINGTON, N.C. — Trial Management Associates (TMA), an integrated site network, and Drs. Bart Williams and Will Jones of Wrightsville Family Practice in Wilmington have been selected to conduct the first Phase III trial of a COVID-19 vaccine in the United States following the Phase II trial.

TMA and Wrightsville Family Practice are recruiting healthy study volunteers ages 18 and older from Wilmington and the surrounding communities to participate in the trial. They are especially seeking healthcare workers, first responders and other essential workers who face higher exposure to the virus.

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“This vaccine trial is an extraordinary opportunity for our community, and we are excited to keep the momentum going by building on the success of the Phase II trial,” said Phil Dattilo, president of TMA.

“We are looking for volunteers who come in contact with lots of people throughout the day, such as those working in healthcare, service, restaurants, retail, grocery stores, and other high-traffic areas," said Dr. Bart Williams, the Principal Investigator of the study.

Williams said the Phase II trial has been showing the vaccine is safe, so they are close to moving to Phase III – the last step before FDA approval.

If anyone in Wilmington, NC, and the surrounding communities would like more information or sign up to participate, they can contact TMA at covidvaccine@trialmgt.com.

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