Engaging community, getting diverse participants key in success of Moderna trial

Engaging with the Boston community to grow trust and attract diverse participants to the Moderna vaccine trial is a major key to a successful study, according to a Brigham and Women’s doctor leading the charge on education.

“We want a vaccine that works for all, and we won’t have that information unless we have various members from all communities involved,” said Dr. Paulette Chandler, the lead on community engagement and education for COVID-19 vaccine trials at Brigham and Women’s Hospital.

Chandler said efforts to recruit a wide range of participants for the Moderna vaccine testing site at the Brigham has been successful, with around 25% elderly, 30% people of color and 30% first responders.

Part of that success comes from partnerships with local organizations, conversations with faith leaders and webinars to educate others, said Chandler.

“It’s important that we get people from a diverse background because we know that where people live, and how they live may influence their response to a vaccine or even medications in general,” said Chandler.

That point was underscored just this week as private contractors hired by Moderna to recruit volunteers for its nationwide trial failed to enroll enough Black, Latino and Native American participants, as reported by Reuters.

Enrollment was slowed due to the shortfall and research centers were instructed to focus on minority participants.

Chandler said there is a level of distrust among the Black community that makes for challenging conversations about COVID-19 and participating in a trial.

“It’s important to acknowledge these pieces of distrust,” said Chandler, along with accessing trust in other ways such as through community groups and other areas of health care.

“That type of collaboration based on previously established trust systems is a wonderful way to have these discussions about COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy and COVID-19 prevention,” said Chandler.

Chandler has found participants are often motivated to join the trial because they are compelled to help with the ongoing pandemic, which she said is inspiring.

Others who cannot participate can still play their part though, she said.

“We like to think that if you can enroll, that would be great, but you can also be a champion of the trial, you can be an ally, where you encourage people to enroll,” said Chandler.

from Boston Herald https://ift.tt/34AWfbO