Orlando infectious disease practice to join race for COVID-19 vaccine as part of global study

ORLANDO, Fla. — The race for a COVID-19 vaccine is underway in Central Florida after an Orlando infectious disease practice was selected for a new study.

The Orlando Immunology Center is the only facility in the state chosen for the research.

OIC is one of 33 sites in the country selected by the National Institutes of Health and the HIV Vaccine Trial Network to join a team trying to find a vaccine for COVID-19.

READ: Florida reports 133 new coronavirus-related deaths, marking state’s deadliest day of pandemic

The global study is sponsored by Oxford University and bio-pharma giant AstraZeneca. OIC will work to evaluate the reaction of those at the highest risk for COVID-19 to test a formula to prevent infection.

Enrollment for the OIC study will begin this summer. The U.S. portion focuses on 15,000 subjects while 30,000 will participate worldwide.

On OIC’s website, its medical director wrote that the study offers Central Floridians the opportunity to participate in this “pivotal and potentially game-changer study” and to get vaccinated earlier than the average citizen.

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