Local commissioner part of COVID-19 vaccine study

WESTMORELAND COUNTY, Pa. — A local commissioner is part of a COVID-19 vaccine trial.

“It’s going well, I have not felt anything different,” Washington County Commissioner Larry Maggi said.

He’s been participating in the Pfizer COVID-19 clinical trials since early August.

“First couple of times I’ve gotten a shot and then after that just kind of go through a matter of questions with them and they draw blood,” Maggi said.

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Every 7 to 10 days, he’s traveled to a testing site at Ohio State University in Columbus, but he said his last appointment was different.

“What I thought was strange the last time I went out last week, is that all of sudden are not 7 to 10 days, but it will be about two months. So I’m not scheduled to go back until December,” Maggi said.

He said he did not ask why his next visit isn’t for another two months but said they are still in touch with him daily asking COVID-19 related questions.

“They want me to continue what I normally do, they want me to follow all the rules and wear a mask but they don’t want me to stay quarantined or bunkered up until I get a symptom,” Maggi said.

Maggi has continued his duties as a Washington County commissioner and hopes by doing his small part, this helps get us one step closer to a COVID-19 vaccine.

“Feel pretty good. Hopefully we can get a vaccine soon so we can get out of this pandemic,” Maggi said.

Maggi said unless he experiences symptoms or anything out of ordinary, he will not have to return to the testing site in Ohio until December.

Johnson & Johnson pauses late-stage COVID-19 trial after participant falls ill (NCD)

Cox Media Group