Cuellar announces COVID-19 vaccine clinical trials in South Texas

MISSION, Texas - U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar says residents in South Texas will play a role in clinical trials for a COVID-19 vaccine.Cuellar said the National Institute of Health wants to ensure the volunteer pool is as diverse as possible.Along with members of the Asian, Black, Hispanic, and Native American Congressional caucuses, Cuellar participated in a meeting with Dr. Francis Collins and Dr. Anthony Fauci to discuss ways to increase the number of diverse participants at each of the COVID-19 clinical trial sites. Cuellar said Moderna has announced its vaccine trial sites for the COVID-19 vaccine in many locations across the United States, including Laredo, the Rio Grande Valley and San Antonio.“Hispanic populations have long been underrepresented in medical research despite being disproportionately affected by many of the studied disease, including the COVID-19,” said Congressman Cuellar. “For this reason, I am working hard with the National Institute of Health and the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases to create a diverse study population of the COVID-19 vaccine to ensure all Americans benefit from the eventual treatments. The inclusion of Laredo, the Rio Grande Valley, and San Antonio in this vaccine trial will help to guarantee that treatments work for all communities in America.” Cuellar added: “As we continue to combat the COVID-19 pandemic, we know from history that we cannot get this wrong. I am committed to working with the National Institute of Health to ensure the future vaccine is affordable and accessible in all communities. I want to thank Dr. Fauci and Dr. Collins for taking the time to meet with us as well as working to ensure that Hispanic populations are represented in this vital work.”The companies that will be conducting the COVID-19 vaccine trials in South Texas include:Laguna Clinical Research Associates in Laredo Centex Studies, Inc. in McAllenClinical Trials of Texas in San AntonioThe attached podcast includes the remarks of Congressman Cuellar at a webinar with reporters about the clinical trails for a COVID-19 vaccine. The podcast also includes the comments of Dr. Joseph McCormick, a world renowned epidemiologist who now works for UT Health Science Center-Houston.  McCormick is the founder of the UTHealth School of Public Health in Brownsville. Editor’s Note: To read the full story go to the website of The Rio Grande Guardian.Go to www.riograndeguardian.com to read the latest border news stories and watch the latest news videos.