Clinical Trials
Saint Louis University's Center for Vaccine Development frequently seeks healthy individuals to participate in its clinical research studies.
Current Studies
The Center for Vaccine Development is not currently enrolling new participants in vaccine clinical trials. Please refer to this page for future updates.
Join the center's mailing list and database to receive information about new studies. Your information will not be sold or distributed to third parties.
Volunteering for Clinical Trials
Healthy volunteers of all ages, races and genders are needed to continue vaccine development. Participation is voluntary and confidential, and volunteers receive compensation for time and travel. All study vaccines and tests are free of charge.
Volunteer Process
To participate in most of the University's clinical trials, volunteers must take the following steps:
- Complete a short online survey
- Schedule a screening appointment to determine eligibility and interest
- Sign a consent form that details purpose, benefits, risks and process
- Enroll in and complete the study
- Participate in follow-up visits and/or calls
For more information or questions about the enrollment process for a specific study, email vaccine@slu.edu or call 314-977-6333 or 1-866-410-6333.
Frequently Asked Questions
A vaccine is a substance that stimulates the body's protective immune response. Vaccines prevent disease by producing antibodies (substances made by your body to prevent infections) and cells that can fight the cause of the disease.
Compensation is determined by the terms outlined in each individual study. Payments are mailed; volunteers should allow up to two weeks for processing.
If both studies involve experimental drugs or products, volunteers can only participate in one at a time. However, exceptions can be made for volunteers enrolled in studies that only monitor conditions. Please contact us to clarify your eligibility.
Volunteers who wish to donate blood must contact the blood donation agency to see if they meet eligibility guidelines. Typically, volunteers who receive an experimental vaccine are asked to wait one year before donating blood.
The Extended Stay Research Unit allows SLU to conduct human challenge influenza studies — studies that require researchers to vaccinate people and then deliberately expose them to the flu to see if they get sick. During these studies, volunteers are quarantined in SLU's Extended Stay Research Unit for around 10 days. They are observed and tested, and they cannot go home until two days after they've tested negative for infection.
No. The Center for Vaccine Development conducts research-vaccine studies. To obtain a licensed vaccine, contact a physician or the health department.
Join our mailing list for letters or emails announcing new studies. The center does not sell or distribute information to third parties.