Exclusive look inside a local research center that’s working to expand vaccine access in the U.S.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — We got an exclusive look inside a local research center that’s working to expand vaccine access in the United States.

Right now – the Jacksonville Center for Clinical Research is spearheading a major study for the Novavax vaccine happening right in our backyard.

So far more than 400 people from our area have participated in this Novavax clinical trial.

QUICK LINKS: How to make a COVID-19 vaccine appointment in the Jacksonville area

44-year-old Shannon Wallace felt enrolling in a local vaccine trial was her best and earliest shot at getting the COVID-19 vaccine.

“I won’t be able to be vaccinated anytime soon because of my age and I don’t have any pre-existing conditions,” Wallace says.

She became a part of the Novaxax study at the JCCR in early January.

“The process was very simple but very, very thorough.”

It’s a blinded study with a two-thirds chance of getting an active vaccine immediately and the two-dose vaccine can be refrigerated.

“Both the first shot and the second shot I didn’t really experience any particular side effects. Both felt like I had a shot I did have a little bit soreness and mild tenderness I would say.”

She waited 21 days between shots. Wallace says after the second she had mild nausea.

“I go back this next Monday, February 15th to actually get tested. They do some bloodwork and test for antibodies and that’s how they find out if the vaccine or placebo has worked or not,” explains Wallace.

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She says she’s just grateful for the experience and the small role she’s playing in hopefully expanding vaccine access in the U.S.

“Bringing this to our community in Jacksonville is a wonderful opportunity and it just makes me feel like I’m doing something good for the greater good.”

Enrollment for the Novavax study here in Jacksonville ends Thursday night. If you are interested, click HERE.

Cox Media Group