Learning Center
Over the past year, media outlets have covered a number of stories on COVID-19 vaccine trial volunteers. These volunteers wanted to contribute to the development of a vaccine that could protect their loved ones. Many volunteers spoke out about at-risk family members. COVID-19 has disproportionately affected people from racial and ethnic minority groups. Age, genetics, … Read more
As COVID-19 swept the U.S., Velocity began enrolling people for vaccine trials at sites nationwide. We frequently heard the same questions: Which vaccine is this trial for? Is it one Velocity is creating? Can I join the trial for the Moderna, Pfizer/BioNTech, Novavax, etc. vaccine? One silver lining of the pandemic (if there can be … Read more
Joining a clinical trial is an important decision. Most participants come to the clinic with questions about clinical trials and what joining one could mean. This is why every study involves an informed consent process. Informed consent is the process of ensuring a potential participant fully understands the details of a clinical trial — and … Read more
COVID-19 is still dominating media headlines, and for good reason. Several vaccines have been granted Emergency Use Authorization, but new case and death rates have reached record highs in the U.S. recently. One update is drawing immense attention, concern, and confusion — new variants of COVID-19 have recently emerged. Strain, variant, or mutation? SARS-CoV-2 (the … Read more
With the emergency use authorization (EUA) of COVID-19 vaccines, many are wondering — and speculating about — what side effects may occur. Rumors have swirled about everything from fatigue and anaphylaxis (severe allergic reactions), to Bell’s palsy (temporary facial paralysis) and effects on fertility. The side effects of authorized COVID-19 vaccines are likely to be … Read more
Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, you’ve likely heard news outlets and government officials refer to ‘the vaccine,’ or imply that scientists are all working on the same vaccine. In truth, many companies are developing many different COVID-19 vaccines. The goal is to identify the safest, most effective way to stop COVID-19. This may actually require several … Read more
Many adults participate in clinical trials each year, but why is it necessary to have children’s clinical trials? Not all medications approved for adults can be ‘dosed down’ to safely work for children. Throughout infancy, childhood, and adolescence, the developing body may react to medications much differently than in adulthood. Aspirin is an example of … Read more
Vaccine clinical trials are in the spotlight. Endless worldwide media coverage of the COVID-19 pandemic and groundbreaking vaccine research have also reignited the public’s interest — and intense debate — about vaccine ingredients. One common question is, “Why do some vaccines contain aluminum or mercury?” The Role of Aluminum in Vaccines Aluminum is an adjuvant … Read more
Falling leaves, happy holidays, and cooler weather are on the way, along with less pleasant things, like cold and flu season. We’ve compiled five facts to help you get to know our unwelcome yearly visitor: influenza. 1: The Six Foot Sneeze While you can get the flu by touching a contaminated surface, the flu usually … Read more
Our clinical staff is often asked by participants whether or not vaccines can cause the infections they’re supposed to prevent. Or, put another way, “Is this a live vaccine?” This has been especially true for our COVID-19, influenza, anthrax, and Zika virus studies. The answer is almost always no; vaccines generally cannot cause the illnesses … Read more