KC research firm testing vaccine for COVID-19

The Center for Pharmaceutical Research in Kansas City is among the first sites testing a vaccine for COVID-19.The Food and Drug Administration is fast-tracking the process. Volunteers are already stepping up to be part of the study.The principal investigator said the challenge is like no other.”I’ve done 800 clinical trials in the last 34 years and 100 vaccine trials. This is by far the most important trial we’ve done ever with what’s going on in the world right now,” said Dr. John Irvin.Phase one of the study is looking for 30 healthy adults. Four came in for screening, including Mike whose friend recently died after suffering flu-like symptoms, possibly COVID-19.Mike said he doesn’t want to be a hero. He just wants to help.”Anything I can do to help, do my small part. I don’t even like using the term hero. I’m just somebody who wants to help out,” he said.Researchers will be monitoring participants’ antibody levels throughout the trial.Some are predicting a vaccine could be available in 18 months. Irvin is hoping for something much sooner.”We’ve never seen anything like what we’re going through right now, and we don’t want to go through it again,” Irvin said.