To find out if they work, they need volunteers.
Carla Garcia is one of them.
Before vaccines received government approval, Carla was one of the first in Southern California to volunteer for the AstraZeneca – University of Oxford vaccine trial.
“The reason it’s important for me to participate is because there isn’t much information from clinical trials or otherwise about black people,” she said.
COVID-19 disproportionately affects African Americans, Latinos and other ethnic groups. But studies show that hesitancy about vaccinations is highest in these groups.
“There needs to be some involvement of the black population, the Latino population and other minority cultures in the process itself so that we can get the same benefits from the results.”
AstraZeneca’s approach is already being used in pneumonia and shingles vaccines. Researchers have modified a cold virus to transport COVID-19 genetic material into the body. Early phase three studies show that the AstraZeneca vaccine showed 90% efficacy in those who received a full dose and then a half dose a month later.
“Just like with a flu shot, there was pain in the arm the next day. It felt bad there.”
To vaccinate 70-80% of Americans, many more companies have to produce vaccines. Others in the pipeline include Johnson and Johnson, Sanofi and Novavax.
“With everything going on. It’s important for us to see where we can have the impact and where we can actually make a difference.”
As the number of cases and death rates soar, Carla – who works at a plasma donation center – is concerned about her healthcare colleagues.
“It is a tragedy to see what we have gotten to in terms of just the number of people who are sick.”
Carla hopes her example will encourage more minorities to get involved.
More information about vaccine studies is available from the US National Institutes of Health COVID-19 Prevention Network.
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