Another COVID-19 vaccine is progressing through clinical trials and Danbury Hospital will be part of the next phase.  Nuvance Health is participating in a clinical trial to test the efficacy of the vaccine developed by Oxford University and the pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca.  It's the only health system in Connecticut to be involved in the study. 

Nuvance Vice president of Research and Innovation Joann Petrini said in a statement that they are excited to participate in this trial locally to help identify a safe and effective COVID-19 vaccine.  Participants will be monitored for two years, with visits to Danbury Hospital six times for assessments. 

Britain has become the first country to greenlight the easy-to-handle shot, granting an emergency authorization for the vaccine.  Pfizer or Moderna vaccines have been approved for emergency use for adults in the United States.  The AstraZeneca vaccine can be stored and transported at normal refrigerator temperatures, unlike Pfizer’s, which must be kept in an ultra-cold freezer.

Nuvance Health includes Danbury, Norwalk, Sharon and New Milford hospitals in Connecticut.