Clemson University is one of several higher education institutions taking part in a randomized, controlled study to assess infection, viral shedding and subsequent potential transmission in students immunized with the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine. The clinical trial is co-sponsored by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), National Institutes of Health (NIH) and Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS).
“We are pleased to participate in this important study of vaccine effectiveness among healthy college students,” said Dr. Corey Kalbaugh, lead epidemiologist and public health strategist at Clemson. “The more we vaccinate at our University, the closer we will be to some semblance of normalcy. The vaccine works and has proven to help prevent serious cases of COVID-19. This trial offers a select group of students the opportunity to do their part by protecting family, friends and the community against COVID-19 infection.”
The study will be capped at 12,000 total students from across the country. Half of Clemson’s enrollees will receive an immediate vaccine and the other half will be randomized for a delayed vaccine four months later. Financial incentives of up to $750 in gift cards will be provided commensurate with a student’s participation.
Students must be between 18 and 26 years of age and will be followed for four to five months following enrollment. After receiving the vaccine, students will be required to collect daily nasal swabs and to produce one additional saliva test each week (beyond the current requirement of every seven days).
To be eligible for the trial, students must not have tested positive for COVID-19 previously and need to be in the immediate area of Clemson’s main campus for a consecutive five-month period to ensure weekly testing compliance and the delivery of nasal swabs.
To sign up to take part in the trial, visit PreventCOVIDU.org, fill out the registration form and select Clemson from the drop-down menu of participating institutions. For more information, contact CoVPNtrial@clemson.edu.
