We are profoundly grateful to the people who volunteer for our clinical trials. By choosing to volunteer, you are helping to advance potential investigational vaccines for people around the world.
Factors such as genetics, race, ethnicity, gender, and age, can affect a person's risk factors for severe infectious diseases and how they respond to a vaccine. In the U.S., African Americans, Alaskan Natives, American Indians, Latino people, and adults over the age of 65 are more significantly impacted by severe illness and hospitalizations from COVID-19, flu, and RSV than other groups. 1, 2, 3, 4 That is why it is so important that clinical trials include people of all backgrounds. Everyone needs to be represented.
Each and every person who volunteers for a clinical trial plays a powerful role. Joining a clinical trial is an important and personal decision. We hope it is one you will consider.
References
- CDC.gov. Health Equity: Promoting Fair Access to Health. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/health-equity/index.html. Accessed May 3, 2023.
- CDC.gov. About Flu. https://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/index.html. Accessed May 3, 2023.
- CDC.gov. RSV in Older Adults and Adults with Chronic Medical Conditions. https://www.cdc.gov/rsv/highrisk/older-adults.html. Accessed May 4, 2023.
- CDC.gov. RSV-NET Interactive Dashboard. https://www.cdc.gov/rsv/research/rsv-net/dashboard.html. Accessed May 10, 2023.