UMass Chan Medical School in Worcester is participating in clinical trials to determine the efficacy of flu vaccines that utilize the same platform as vaccines developed for COVID-19, the school announced on Oct. 19.
Specifically, the Pfizer vaccine being studied is a modRNA vaccine, which uses the same platform as the mRNA vaccines.
“In the standard vaccine, the proteins are in the vaccine. In the modified RNA vaccine, the code – the RNA – is injected and then your body makes the protein, and that’s the antigen target,” Dr. Jennifer Wang, UMass Chan professor of medicine, who is leading the local participation, said in a written statement.
In the announcement, Wang said the standard flu vaccines have only been around 40% effective most years, but the mRNA COVID vaccine success suggests a new approach might work better.
The study at UMass Chan is enrolling participants. Of those who sign up, some will receive the modRNA flu vaccine, while others will receive the standard vaccine. Those who would like to participate should call 508-856-2606 or email IDcovidclinicalresearch@umassmed.edu.
