Fellow of Trudeau Institute in Saranak Lake Leads Clinical Trial of COVID-19 Vaccine | Health Issues

Thomas is a professor of medicine, microbiology and immunology at SUNY Upstate Medical College in Syracuse and responsible for infectious diseases. As a fellow at the Trudeau Institute, I also participate in research there.

According to The New York Times, Pfizer and BioNTech released preliminary results for late-stage clinical trials of the vaccine on Monday, suggesting more than 90% effectiveness. The US Food and Drug Administration has set a threshold of efficacy of 50% for vaccines to be eligible for urgent approval.

Thomas is working with Pfizer and BioNTech to share test results with regulators, including the US Food and Drug Administration, later this month.

Governor Andrew Cuomo praised Thomas’ role in the trial on Monday.

“Medical professionals in New York are second to none. From the beginning of this pandemic, we have relied on their vast knowledge and expertise to communicate. Pfizer has done the same. I’m happy, “Kuomo said in a statement. “It’s great news that Pfizer / BioNTech has a positive result in vaccine trials. One of New York’s best infectious disease experts has been selected as the world’s leader in vaccine trials. I’m proud to thank Dr. Thomas for fighting this invisible enemy on behalf of the New York family. “

In a statement on Monday, Thomas said his colleague worked hard to support a company like Pfizer in the fight against COVID-19. Of the approximately 44,000 participants, more than 300 volunteers are enrolled in clinical trials by Upstate Medical.

“As we are all trying to find a way to stop this pandemic, the Upstate team has worked incredibly hard to support Pfizer and its partners,” he said. “Thanks to this hard work and the support of the CNY (Central New York) community, we are in a position to make a significant contribution to our efforts to develop the COVID vaccine.”

Thomas became the first Fellow of the Trudeau Institute in 2018. He is working with the Institute on projects related to Zika virus and other infectious diseases. He helped host the Institute’s 2018 Global Health Summit.

The Trudeau Institute is not involved in Pfizer’s clinical trials, but its scientists are studying the coronavirus.

“At Trudeau, we saw first-hand the expertise that Stephen Thomas brings to solve our most troublesome infectious disease challenges,” Atsuo Kuki, president and director of the Trudeau Institute, said in a statement. .. “He combines a very deep experience in deploying vaccines for an ominous pandemic with a keen dedication to high-quality practices. About the leadership he demonstrated in this fight against the pandemic. I am proud to acknowledge and congratulate him on SUNY and SUNY Upstate. “

The Trudeau Institute has also supported the local hospital network, Adirondack Health, for eight months after the pandemic was declared. The Trudeau Institute manufactures chemical reagents, which can increase the number of COVID-19 test samples that hospitals can send for processing. The laboratory has disinfected the hospital’s personal protective equipment so that N-95 masks and other items can be reused when supplies are in short supply. The institute also helped the hospital open a new rapid testing lab.

“The news from Pfizer / BioNTech is very exciting, but we can’t give up,” Kuki said. “The sooner we develop additional vaccine candidates, the faster the world can return to normal. But before that happens, we remain vigilant, wear masks, and test functions. Needs expansion. “

In related news, Burlington’s University of Vermont Medical Center announced on Tuesday that it has begun enrolling volunteers for Phase 3 trials of the COVID-19 vaccine, alongside the University of Vermont’s Lerner Medical College Vaccine Testing Center. Developed by Oxford University. This vaccine is different from Pfizer’s vaccine. It will be manufactured by AstraZeneca. According to a news release, among the first volunteers to receive the vaccine was Chief Don Stevens, a Nuruhegan band from the Kusk-Abenaki tribe.