Seattle gets first go at coronavirus vaccine testing

Carolyn Adolph

March 04, 2020 / 5:13 pm

caption: The coronavirus that causes COVID-19 is seen in yellow, emerging from cells (in blue and pink) cultured in the lab. This image is from a scanning electron microscope.

The first clinical trials for a coronavirus vaccine will take place in Seattle. Kaiser Permanente said it received federal permission to start testing a vaccine developed in Boston.

Lead Kaiser researcher Dr. Lisa Jackson said the virus may become a seasonal problem like influenza, or it may disappear as SARS did years ago. However, she said “there is obviously a need for a vaccine and for treatments against this newly emerged virus so that is what we are working as rapidly as possible to accomplish.”

The initial trial will need 45 healthy adults. Jackson said that no research participants will be given a placebo.

People who are interested in participating can sign up online at corona.kpwashingtonresearch.org.

Any vaccine developed wouldn't be ready for at least a year.