UniSC Clinical Trials will soon start a phase two trial of a potential new vaccine for dengue fever.

This trial of the vaccine will be held at UniSC Clinical Trials sites at Morayfield, Sippy Downs and South Bank.
 
Up to four billion people living in tropical and subtropical countries are at risk of being infected by dengue viruses. Dengue outbreaks can occur annually in north and central Queensland. Each year, approximately 390 million people are infected with dengue disease, causing an estimated 96 million symptomatic cases.

UniSC Clinical Trials Principal Investigator Dr Nischal Sahai will oversee the trial at the South Bank clinic in Brisbane.

“There are four dengue virus types, meaning it is possible to be infected four times,” Dr Sahai said.

“The purpose of this study is to see how effective a single dose of this study vaccine will be at preventing disease from all four dengue virus types.”

“We’re looking for healthy volunteers aged between 18 and 50 years who can commit to up to six in-person visits and two telephone visits over 12 months.”

UniSC Clinical Trials Director Lucas Litewka said that approximately 1,265 healthy participants would be enrolled in the study worldwide.

“This will including 120 people at USC Clinical Trials sites at South Bank in Brisbane, Sippy Downs on the Sunshine Coast and Morayfield in Moreton Bay,” he said.

Eligible participants will be paid for their time in the study. Those interested in volunteering can find more information at www.usc.edu.au/trials.