Local woman shares excitement for participating in Phase 3 COVID-19 trials

It's the final countdown for researchers in the Triangle entering Phase 3 of COVID-19 vaccine trials. The goal is to have a vaccine ready by the end of the year.

"My curiosity was peaked. I just thought it was interesting," said Ginny Capiot, a Phase 3 participant.

Hundreds of people in the Triangle will have the opportunity to be a part of history as researchers enter the final stage of the Moderna vaccine trials.

"The fact that we are in a historical state right now and the fact that I could help at all in moving past that is definitely a factor," Capiot added.

She works in healthcare and is a diabetic, which is part of a major high-risk group local researchers are recruiting.

"The real premise of this Phase 3 trial is to look specifically at the populations that are most at risk because those are the populations we're really hoping to protect," said Judith Borger, the Principal Investigator at Cape Fear Valley Medical Center.

Volunteers like Capiot will be injected with genetically created antibodies modeled from patients who beat COVID-19. "I just thought if I had the chance to help fewer people get it ... I want to be apart of it," she said.

Volunteers are screened before getting enrolled. Following the vaccine, they will have to track their symptoms in a journal and physical follow-ups will continue for the next two years.

"The biggest thing about a vaccine is that we want it to be effective, but we want it to be safe as well," said Borger.

She added, although everything is on an accelerated time frame, they're not compromising the process. "Because it's such a priority, we're working around the clock, seven days a week to make it happen."

As Capiot prepares for her upcoming vaccine she said, "I followed up with them a few times because I'm just really excited to be a part."

Researchers are still on the hunt for a diverse group of volunteers in an effort to have an effective vaccine ready before 2020 ends.

Six Wake Research facilities are also taking part in Phase 3 trials of Moderna's vaccine

Volunteers can inquire and start the enrollment process simply by texting "COVID" to the appropriate number for their respective location. Locations for Wake Research COVID-19 clinical trials include: