Three clinics in the Valley and one in Tucson will be part of a group of 87 clinics nationwide conducting Phase 3 trials of Moderna’s mRNA-1273 COVID-19 vaccine.

The study will look at 30,000 adult participants at high risk of contracting the coronavirus. The trial is now expected to begin on July 27.

According to clinicaltrials.gov, Hope Research Institute locations in Chandler, Phoenix, and Peoria will all be involved in the trials. Quality of Life Medical and Research Center in Tucson will also be included in the research trials.

The mRNA-1273 vaccine is being developed to prevent COVID-19 by producing antibodies to the virus.

Clinicaltrials.gov reports that the study is designed to primarily evaluate the efficacy, safety, and immunogenicity of mRNA-1273 to prevent COVID-19 for up to 2 years after the second dose of mRNA-1273.

Moderna is the first biotech company to begin coronavirus vaccines on humans. Its Phase 1 trial began in mid-March.

Newly-published results from the New England Journal of Medicine describe a successful Phase I testing for the vaccine. It is currently in Phase II of testing, and Dr. Anthony Fauci confirmed Tuesday that the vaccine would move to the third and final phase by the end of the month.

Participants of the Phase 3 trial will either receive the vaccine or a placebo. They will receive two doses 29 days apart. They will be tracked for two years to see whether they get COVID-19 or have any adverse reactions to the vaccine.

Participants will be routinely checked for antibodies.

Trial sites will begin registering people for the trial next week, according to Moderna. They hope to have efficacy data by Thanksgiving.

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