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I volunteered to test the Moderna coronavirus vaccine. Here’s what the experience was like — and why it’s given me hope for the world.
Elle Hardy is taking part in a phase-three trial of Moderna’s mRNA-1273 vaccine, which just announced it’s 94.5% effective against coronavirus.
By Elle Hardy
The opportunity came my way and I didn’t hesitate.
I wish I could say that I signed up for the Moderna mRNA-1273 vaccine trial out of some sense of public service. But my first response when I was asked to take part in the trial was, “Hell yes,” because I wanted a chance to get some protection from the coronavirus as soon as possible.
My participation in the trial came about because a couple of years ago I did a medical trial for an anthrax vaccine with a company called Benchmark Research when I was broke. I’d completely forgotten about it, but they called me in May to say that the study was over and that I’d been given the placebo.
The doctor on the phone told me that they were finalizing an agreement for an urgent trial of a vaccine for “you know what.” They couldn’t release information at that time, but they needed to quickly vet and enroll 30,000 subjects across multiple sites in the United States.
