Closing The Gap On Vaccine Access: Ensuring Diversity In Clinical Trials (Part 2)

How is diversity being tracked in COVID-19 vaccine trials to make sure the vaccine is effective for all groups?

By Stephanie Kim
Closing The Gap On Vaccine Access: Ensuring Diversity In Clinical Trials (Part 2)
A COVID-19 vacation appointments sign points the way at Edward Hospital in Naperville, Ill., Thursday, Dec. 17, 2020. Illinois received about 43,000 doses in its first shipment of a COVID-19 vaccine Monday as health officials reported another 103 coronavirus deaths statewide. Most of the shots will be distributed to local health care centers for health care workers, according to Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker's office. Nam Y. Huh / AP Photo
Closing The Gap On Vaccine Access: Ensuring Diversity In Clinical Trials (Part 2)
A COVID-19 vacation appointments sign points the way at Edward Hospital in Naperville, Ill., Thursday, Dec. 17, 2020. Illinois received about 43,000 doses in its first shipment of a COVID-19 vaccine Monday as health officials reported another 103 coronavirus deaths statewide. Most of the shots will be distributed to local health care centers for health care workers, according to Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker's office. Nam Y. Huh / AP Photo

Closing The Gap On Vaccine Access: Ensuring Diversity In Clinical Trials (Part 2)

How is diversity being tracked in COVID-19 vaccine trials to make sure the vaccine is effective for all groups?

By Stephanie Kim
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In the latest installment in our series Closing the Gap, Reset explores disparities in vaccine access and distribution in the greater Chicagoland region.

The series continues with a closer look at the push for diversity in clinical trials with Chicago’s first two COVID-19 vaccine trial participants and two health care workers leading efforts to vet the vaccine at the local and national levels.

GUESTS: Bonnie Blue, Chicago COVID-19 vaccine trial participant

Eduardo Rollox, Chicago COVID-19 vaccine trial participant

Dr. Lois Clarke, director of clinical research at Loretto Hospital

Dr. Lakesha Butler, member of the National Medical Association COVID-19 Task Force on Vaccines and Therapeutics; clinical professor for the school of pharmacy at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville