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. In July 2020, GW began its participation in a late-stage (Phase 3) study of Moderna’s mRNA vaccine as a clinical research site. Because of its long track record in conducting vaccine research and clinical vaccine trials, as well as its extensive community partnerships, the university was one of nearly 100 clinical research sites in the U.S. selected to test potential COVID-19 vaccines as part of the COVID-19 Prevention Network, established by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) of the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
On Nov. 30, 2020, Moderna reported that the vaccine's efficacy against COVID-19 was 94.1% and filed with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for Emergency Use Authorization.
349
volunteers enrolled in GW's clinical trial to test Moderna's vaccine
50%
of GW's enrolled volunteers came from communities of color
25%
of GW's enrolled volunteers had a comorbidity such as heart disease, severe obesity or diabetes
26%
of GW's enrolled volunteers 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
"Congratulations on a very well-run site. I also want to thank the volunteers at this particular site [and] the almost 30,000 participants in the Moderna trial, as well as the 45,000 volunteers in the Pfizer trial, who are taking a step to help show whether or not the vaccine works."
Dr. Moncef Slaoui
Chief Adviser, Operation Warp Speed
Oct. 21, 2020 GW press event
60%
of GW's enrolled volunteers were male, 40% were female
2 Years
GW's vaccine research team will monitor trial volunteers
94.1%
vaccine efficacy against COVID-19 reported by Moderna
In the News
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.