A vaccine is a biological preparation that provides active acquired immunity to a particular disease. A vaccine typically contains an agent that resembles a disease-causing micro-organism and is often made from weakened or killed forms of the microbe, its toxins or one of its surface proteins. The agent stimulates the body's immune system to recognize the agent as a threat, destroy it, and keep a record of it, so that the immune system can more easily recognize and destroy any of these micro-organisms that it later encounters.

Volunteer to Participate in a Vaccine Research Study Clinical research studies are vital to developing vaccines that can ease human suffering, potentially prevent a pandemic, and in many cases, save lives. At the Vaccine Research Center (VRC), we are looking for adults (ages 18 to 50) who are willing to volunteer their time and work closely with us to evaluate vaccines against diseases such as HIV/AIDS, Ebola, Influenza, and others.

Why Volunteer?

• Help researchers develop potentially lifesaving vaccines
• Contribute to the advancement of medicine
• Provide researchers with important scientific information in a safe and confidential environment
• Receive financial compensation for your time