My HealthPreventative Health: Vaccines |
VaccinesDr. Teresa Coats, primary research doctor at our Austin TX site, is Benchmark's Director of Vaccine R&D. We conduct clinical trials at all of our sites for vaccines that could help prevent the spread of very lethal viruses and diseases. Benchmark vaccine studies offer patients a study vaccination, study-related tests and compensation. See what vaccine studies we are currently conducting & read below for more information on vaccine research.
Vaccines have been around for over 200 years. The first vaccine used as preventative medicine was a vaccine for smallpox. The creation of this vaccine in 1798 marked the beginning of a preventative approach to medicine through vaccines. Vaccines for Rabies and the Plague followed in 1885 and 1897, as the need arose to prevent the spread of these grave illnesses. During the second half of the 20th century, vaccines were developed to prevent the spread of other seriously debilitating diseases, e.g. Hepatits B and Polio.
Today, the most widely used vaccine is the influenza or FLU vaccine. Due to recent vaccine shortages and the potential risk of more lethal influenza strain outbreaks, e.g. avian or "bird" flu, the FDA and NIH have teamed up with pharmaceutical companies to increase the development, safety and effectiveness of seasonally accessible vaccines in the United States. Consequently, Benchmark conducts a flu vaccine study every year. Get on the list for next years flu vaccine study.
More recently, the NIH and pharmaceutical companies have been developing vaccines to decrease the incidence of Sexually Transmitted Diseases in the United States, e.g. HSV (genital herpes), HPV and HIV. It is predicted that a large percentage of those infected with these diseases are unaware and if not treated early, these highly contagious diseases can cause serious health problems.
Finally, vaccine development has embarked on novel approaches to preventative medicine. For example, as bio-terror threats (e.g. smallpox, plague and anthrax) are on the rise, vaccine research to prevent the spread of these diseases, has a very promising horizon. Another example is that vaccines are being developed that will treat high blood pressure and prevent relapse in smoking cessation.
If you are interested in participating in Benchmark vaccine studies, see what vaccine studies are currently being conducted near you.
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