Were you born after September 2000 and already of age? Then the study of a new polio vaccine might be something for you. After all, UAntwerp is still looking for candidates.
The search for the vaccine keeps the world busy. Scientists and pharmaceutical companies are working around the clock to come up with an answer to Covid-19 as soon as possible. But meanwhile, significant other investigations into vaccines are also ongoing. For example, the Center for the Evaluation of Vaccinations (CEV), affiliated with the University of Antwerp, is currently investigating a new polio vaccine.
“The final eradication of polio or childhood paralysis is approaching, but there are still several dozen cases each year in countries such as Afghanistan and Pakistan,” explains Prof. Pierre Van Damme. “The existing vaccine has done a great job, but a new drug is needed to take the final step. An international conglomerate of researchers developed a new injectable polio vaccine that can now be tested. ”
Specific subjects
But before the vaccines get the green light, their effectiveness must be tested on a larger scale. This also happens at the University of Antwerp, again with the financial support of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Van Damme and his colleagues are still looking for candidates.
“We have a wealth of experience with vaccine studies,” explains the vaccologist and epidemiologist. “Recruiting candidates usually works quite smoothly. In the short term, for example, we will start testing the candidate vaccine against Janssen’s Covid. Sufficient test subjects have already registered for this. But the search for this polio vaccine is not going as smoothly. ”
No festivals
Van Damme also knows why. “We need very specific candidates. Only Belgians born after September 2000 and who have reached the age of majority can participate, just like Dutch people between 18 and 45 years old. That has to do with the basic vaccination schedule that we had as a child. ”
Candidates must visit twelve times and receive a vaccine twice. A number of samples are taken at the other visits. The total compensation is approximately 900 euros. “There are no festivals this summer,” said Van Damme. “So young people may have a little more time to participate, and immediately earn a penny.”
More info and registration via www.uantwerpen.be/vaccinstudies-polio
—
