New Zealand opportunity to join COVID-19 vaccine fight

Kiwis are being given an opportunity to take part in a trial of a potential new COVID-19 vaccine.

New Zealand Clinical Research (NZCR) is enrolling 100 healthy volunteers aged 18-80 years in a trial of a vaccine called ReCOV developed by an offshore biotech company. NZCR’s Medical Director, Dr Chris Wynne and Principal Investigator of the study, said. “We are very pleased to be taking part in this important COVID- 19 vaccine study, giving us the chance to help the rest of the world fight this pandemic,” he said. “The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted how important clinical research is to the world.” “Clinical research has always been a key factor in the development of life-saving medicines, but it took COVID-19 to really put a spotlight on our work. The world needs more safe and effective vaccines,” said Dr Wynne. Trial participants will receive two doses of ReCOV or a placebo (containing no active medication). ReCOV is a new generation subunit vaccine derived from the SARS-CoV-2 spike (S) protein. Like other vaccines, it works to stimulate antibody production which helps to develop immunity and protection against COVID-19 infection. The trial is being run in Auckland and Christchurch.