The George Washington University (GW) is playing an important role in a historic global effort to rapidly develop and test investigational vaccines that protect against the novel coronavirus and its disease, COVID-19. Because of its long track record in conducting vaccine research and clinical vaccine trials, as well as its extensive community partnerships, the university is serving as a clinical research site to test a number of potential COVID-19 vaccines.
In July, GW began participation in a late-stage (Phase 3) study of Moderna’s mRNA vaccine, which was shown to be 94.1% effective against COVID-19. In February 2021, GW began enrolling volunteers in a Phase 2 study of an adjuvanted recombinant protein-based vaccine developed by Sanofi, in partnership with GlaxoSmithKline. The Phase 2 study will test the vaccine candidate's safety and how well it spurs an immune response.
349
total volunteers enrolled in GW's clinical trial to test Moderna's vaccine
50%
GW volunteers enrolled in the Moderna trial that came from communities of color
25%
GW volunteers enrolled in the Moderna trial that had a comorbidity such as heart disease or diabetes
26%
GW volunteers enrolled in the Moderna trial that were over the age of 65
Hear from some of those involved in the Moderna vaccine clinical trial at GW.
Q&A with Dr. David Diemert
Q&A with Dr. Manya Magnus
"Our participation in the Moderna Phase 3 vaccine trials has enhanced GW’s already-robust vaccine research effort and further highlighted our prominence among other research universities in the collective effort to address the largest global health crisis in modern times."
Barbara L. Bass
Vice President for Health Affairs, Dean of the School of Medicine & Health Sciences (SMHS), and CEO of the GW Medical Faculty Associates (MFA)
40
Number of volunteers GW will recruit for the Sanofi COVID-19 vaccine trial
>60
Half of the volunteers GW recruits for the Sanofi trial will be over the age of 60 years
2 Years
Length of time GW's vaccine research team will monitor all trial volunteers
In the News
George Washington University to Participate in Sanofi COVID-19 Vaccine Trial
February 24, 2021
The George Washington University announced today its participation in a Sanofi COVID-19 vaccine clinical trial. GW was selected as one of approximately 25 sites in the United States to launch a phase 2 study for its adjuvanted recombinant protein-based COVID-19 vaccine candidate.
GW Plays Essential Role in COVID-19 Vaccine Approved for Emergency Use
December 17, 2020
The George Washington University was part of the historic nationwide effort to develop and test a safe, effective COVID-19 vaccine in record time, serving as a Phase 3 clinical trial site for the mRNA-1273 vaccine the Food and Drug Administration approved Friday for emergency use. The trial showed vaccine efficacy against COVID-19 to be 94.1 percent.
Federal Government's COVID-19 Vaccine Trial Chief Visits GW Site
October 22, 2020
Moncef Slaoui, chief adviser for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ COVID-19 vaccine development initiative, visited GW to raise awareness for the national vaccine development efforts, encourage greater participation in the clinical trials and recognize GW for exceeding its enrollment goals for its vaccine trial.
Trump's Operation Warp Speed advisor says all Americans could be immunized with COVID vaccine by June
October 21, 2020
Most Americans may have access to a COVID-19 vaccine by early this spring, one which could potentially immunize them by June, according to Operation Warp Speed's chief adviser, Dr. Moncef Slaoui.
GWU's covid-19 clinical trial has met one early goal – getting Black and Latino people to join
September 13, 2020
Mark M. Spradley searched online for a vaccine clinical trial the way most people go shopping. Spradley, heeding an inner call to public duty, combed through the National Institutes of Health’s website and signed up for a trial underway at George Washington University because he was eager to become part of a massive, accelerated effort to develop a vaccine for the novel coronavirus that causes the disease covid-19.