Orlando Immunology Center (OIC) is proud to announce to the Central Florida community that our research center located at 1707 N Mills  Avenue, Orlando, 32803 has been selected by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in collaboration with the HIV Vaccine Trial Network (HVTN) to participate in one of the most promising COVID-19 vaccine studies sponsored by Oxford University and AstraZeneca.

OIC is one of 33 other sites in the country (and the only one in Florida) selected for participants study enrollment starting this summer, along with research sites in other countries. This study aims to evaluate ~30,000 subjects (about half in the US) at high risk for COVID infection, including healthcare workers,  to demonstrate the vaccine efficacy in preventing COVID-19.

There are currently over 115 potential COVID-19 preventive vaccine candidates being investigated worldwide by private industry,  academic centers, or non-profit organizations, most in early clinical research development. Federal experts have selected the following five companies with COVID-19 vaccine clinical trials that may have the best chances of success: Moderna; Oxford University and AstraZeneca; Johnson & Johnson; Merck; and Pfizer.

There are other potential COVID-19 vaccine candidates in more advanced stages of clinical development, but they are being developed by smaller companies, with limited experience in large-scale vaccine manufacturing, which could affect their end success.

OIC is an infectious Disease practice specializing in the treatment of HIV, hepatitis, and other viral illness for the last 20 years.  The studies conducted at OIC have been at the vanguard of prevention and treatment for many other viral infections.  “By using our relationships with private sponsor corporations that are now working hard and expeditiously to develop a successful COVID-19 vaccine, we can offer Central Floridians the opportunity to participate in this pivotal and potentially game-changer study, and to get vaccinated earlier than the average citizen” explains Dr. Edwin DeJesus, OIC Medical Director.

AstraZeneca and the University of Oxford today announced an agreement for the global development and distribution of the University’s potential recombinant adenovirus vaccine aimed at preventing COVID-19 infection from SARS-CoV-2.