A COVID-19 vaccine could be developed in Clay County

CLAY COUNTY, Fla. — A COVID-19 vaccine could be developed in Clay County. The Fleming Island Center for Clinical Research is working on a vaccine for COVID-19.

Dr. Micheal Stephens said they start by injecting the genetic code of the virus into a person, not the virus its self, to create the vaccine.

“No longer are you getting a piece of the actual virus. You’re getting the blue-print, if you will, for the protein that’s been selected for that vaccine. And that’s a non-disease causing protein,” Dr. Stephens said.

He said that your body would then create antibodies to help fight off the virus. The only thing they’re missing now is volunteers.

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Dr. Stephens told Action News Jax reporter Alicia Tarancon they’re hoping to recruit 500 people for this study between their office in Fleming Island and Jacksonville.

They want to create a vaccine that would be available in the next 12 to 15 months.

“The technology is groundbreaking. This virus obviously needs to be defeated so we’re recruiting several volunteers what we like to refer to as “Ambassadors of Knowledge,” Dr. Stephens said.

Near Ali is a volunteer in a high cholesterol clinical trial with the Fleming Island Center for Clinical Research. He’s hoping next month he can get involved in the COVID-19 vaccine trial too.

"It would definitely save a lot of lives, plus it would get everybody back to normal. People can get back to their jobs," Ali said.

Dr. Stephens said the trial itself is perfectly safe. Most people will experience no symptoms or a mild reaction or rash at the injection site.

The clinical trial for the COVID-19 vaccine begins on Aug. 1. They are accepting volunteers between the ages of 18 and 85.

All participants will be compensated. If you would like to sign up, you can click here.

Cox Media Group