Imagine a World Without Diseases
There’s no doubt the world is desperately in need of vaccines. Seattle Vaccine Trials Unit (VTU) is leading the fight against major diseases of today such as COVID-19 and HIV/AIDS. We pursue innovative research strategies to promote heathier protected communities.
You can make an impact by joining one of our research studies for COVID-19 or HIV.
Volunteers Help Us Make Discoveries
We need volunteers to help move science toward more discoveries. Sign up now to see if you can help with one of our studies.
Photos by Robert Hood / Fred Hutch
Coronavirus (COVID-19) Studies
Currently, we are only enrolling people with confirmed COVID-positive results from the last 30 days. Our COVID observational studies will help us gain an understanding of how the immune system works in response to COVID, and enable us to find better ways to prevent and treat the virus.
At this time all our COVID studies are observational, no medication or vaccines are given. Learn more about the Seattle COVID-Cohort Study.
HIV Preventive Vaccine and Observational Studies
We are enrolling healthy, HIV-negative volunteers for HIV vaccine studies that are being coordinated by networks such as the HIV Vaccine Trials Network and the International AIDS Vaccine Initiative. The products used in all our studies are NOT produced from live HIV or from HIV-infected human cells. These study vaccines cannot cause HIV infection.
Additionally, we have a number of observational HIV studies to help us learn more about the immune system in people who have HIV but are able to naturally control the virus. There are no medications or vaccines given in our observational studies.
Our Invaluable Community Partnerships
Our work would not be possible without a dedicated community of collaborating organizations, donors and volunteers.
A History of Collaboration — Some of our longstanding partners include African American Reach and Teach Ministries, Entre Hermanos, Gay City, POCAAN and Lifelong. As well as many of our HIV vaccine studies, are from networks such as the HIV Vaccine Trials Network and International AIDS Vaccine Initiative. Additional collaborators include members of the HIV Vaccine Trials Network and International AIDS Vaccine Initiative.
Donor-powered — We are especially grateful for the generous philanthropic support from individual donors and companies that has allowed Fred Hutch to rapidly deploy leading-edge research efforts to control COVID-19. Our COVID-Cohort study appreciates our local first responders and COVID positive community members who have joined our study, moving science forward towards a vaccine or treatment for COVID.
Inspired by Community — The VTU is committed to fostering and maintaining meaningful, collaborative and mutually beneficial relationships with our community partners and study volunteers. We respect cultural values and diversity, and we maintain diverse perspectives among our staff and advisors.
Meet the Team
As a parent, part of the reason I do this research is to create a brighter future for my son's generation. It makes my work that much more important to me.
— Julie McElrath, Principal Investigator, Seattle VTU
VTU Media Coverage
More VTU Media Coverage>People who have had COVID should get single vaccine dose, studies suggest
New studies show that one shot of a vaccine can greatly amplify antibody levels in those who have recovered from the coronavirus.
New York Times | Feb. 19, 2021
Black volunteers give COVID-19 vaccine trials a shot in the arm
Study participant discusses the importance of diversity in COVID-19 trials.
Seattle Times | Dec. 14, 2020