Paid Covid Clinical Trials

Candace Kastanis

Written by Candace Kastanis

Chemistry B.S. | UC Davis | Clinical Lab Technician

Updated & Fact Checked 3/07/23

What are paid covid clinical trials?

Paid covid clinical trials help covid vaccine manufacturers test their vaccine products for efficacy and safety. Although there are currently two mainstream FDA-approved vaccines in circulation, many other pharmaceutical development companies have products entering late-stage clinical trials resulting in the need for more paid clinical trial participants. Researchers value paid clinical volunteers because it assists in their efforts to learn more about how the human body responds to mRNA-based covid vaccine products.

How do I find paid covid clinical trials for healthy volunteers near me?

As covid-19 cases continue to threaten global public health and safety, you can expect a wealth of information on popular public health websites such as the CDC, NIH, and WHO. Additional information may be accessible at your local hospital or clinic. Clinical trial recruitment specialists may also extend an invitation based on your personal health history. In some cities, clinical trial sponsors may hold informational gatherings to recruit specific patient populations, so it may be good to check with your local health clinics.

Who conducts paid covid clinical trials for healthy volunteers?

Pharmaceutical sponsors, privatized research firms, and government-ran public health entities routinely host paid covid clinical trials. Pharmaceutical stakeholders and other relevant partnerships currently invest vast amounts of financial resources to lessen the impact of coronavirus by giving researchers opportunities to expand their clinical trial efforts. Paid covid clinical trials are overseen by the IRB (Investigational Review Board) and serve to maintain specific ethical and safety requirements. The aim is to provide paid participants with a safe clinical trial experience.


What are the advantages of participating in paid covid clinical trial?

The advantages of participating in a paid covid clinical trial are that you can be one of the first recipients of a life-saving vaccine product. As coronavirus unfolded into a destabilizing event across the nation, the biological threat to our lives became a very sobering reality. Before a viable publicly adopted treatment plan could be realized, participation paid covid clinical trials offered a measure of potential safety.

Moving forward to present day, many more opportunities for protective treatments are available via paid covid clinical trials. Several reasons to consider participating in a paid covid clinical trial may include:

– You are a first responder.
– You have a friend or family member at an elevated risk.
– You work in heavily trafficked public places.
– You have an interest in assisting in the effort to fight coronavirus.


What are the disadvantages of participating in a paid covid clinical trials?

Participating in a paid covid clinical trial may present a level of discomfort associated with the treatment intervention and vaccine type. Most paid covid clinical trial participants report experiencing symptoms like that of a bad flu. There may also be some unanticipated side effects or medical issues which may increase your down time or amplify the need for expanded care. In these scenarios, the principal investigator along with the clinical care team usually have a plan in place to help deliver expert treatment at no cost to you, the patient.

Additional concerns might arise in the unknowns with working with mRNA-based treatment interventions. However, addressing these concerns with the lead clinical coordinator and your doctor should give you enough information to help make informed choices at the beginning of your clinical trial experience.


How does a paid covid clinical trial work?

Paid covid clinical trials offer you payment or a stipend for your voluntary participation. In return, the clinical trial team may require you to perform specific tasks following enrollment to qualify for the designated monetary award. Some of the tasks may include diary keeping as to your personal experience during the scope of the vaccine trial and required visits to the study homesite several times for study data-reporting and check-ins.

The clinical study pathway towards gaining FDA approval is divided into four classifications:

Phase I Paid Clinical Trials

Phase I clinical trials are trying to assess the safest possible dose with the maximum amount of efficacy. Clinical investigators are also looking for any product associated side effects that could present a safety risk.

Phase II Paid Clinical Trials

Phase II clinical trials have similar objectives as phase 1 but with more expanded safety profiles. At this stage they may tweak the dosing regimens or do more testing to assess any gaps in efficacy or safety.

Phase III Paid Clinical Trials

Phase III clinical trials determines the overall potential of effectiveness and risk. This phase of the trial focuses on expanding the recruitment pool to help create a more diverse data set.

Phase IV Paid Clinical Trials

Phase IV clinical trials is the last phase before the test therapeutic is entered into the clinical marketplace. The clinical findings are compared to an existing standard of care to provide a clearer risk-to-benefit perspective for future use in patients.


What do researchers learn from conducting paid covid clinical trials?

Researchers learn a great deal of information about their vaccine products from conducting paid covid clinical trials. The most important knowledge is that which determines how safe and effective it is for use in humans. The scientific community gains a true glimpse into the type of side effects are most common and which patient populations are the best candidates for receiving a specific vaccine model.

Many were under the impression that mRNA-based vaccine models presented a higher risk in humans, however this is not necessarily true. Though the early covid vaccine products offered many unknowns, the use of mRNA-based biological products are not new to modern-day treatment plans. They are used to successfully treat a host of other chronic conditions, many of which are too in late-stage clinical development.

Paid covid clinical trials provide researchers with:

  • Common adverse effects to look out for
  • An idea of how long the vaccine product may remain effective in the body
  • How successful the vaccine is at protecting you from the coronavirus.
  • How long it takes for a person to return to full-wellness post injection.

Commonly Asked Questions (FAQs)

  • How much are paid covid clinical trial participants paid on average?

    Paid covid clinical trial participants are to receive compensation for their time, travel, care, medications, and sometimes expenses to cover expanded care costs for extended family members. Covid clinical trials are sometimes termed “challenge trials” because of the higher risk and the potential for long quarantine times.

    The compensation values are notably higher than other trial types and pay benefits related to post-trial care expenses (hazard pay). The average compensation for paid covid clinical trial participants tends to vary however a survey of investigators involved in 25 challenge trials for diseases other than COVID-19 found that the maximum payment offered was $4446 and the average amount was $1770, with an average hourly stipend of $13.77. Experts suggested these compensation values might be too low for the type of risk involved. Consequently, the payment amounts could vary depending on the assessment of risk.

  • How do I find out if I am eligible to participate in a paid covid clinical trial?

    Clinical trial and eligibility information relating to paid covid clinical trials may have unique requirements to qualify you for the study. The clinical study coordinator or team lead may determine eligibility based on current health or if you have recent exposure to Covid-19. They may also look at co-factors associated with your age, gender, medical history, pre-existing condition, and ability to endure a quarantine situation.

  • Will participation in a paid clinical trial prevent me from leaving prior to completion?

    Withdrawing from a paid covid clinical trial is permitted for any reason. However, due to the nature of the trial, you may be required to quarantine for a specific period at the point of withdrawal. Most clinical care coordinators inform patients at the beginning of the clinical trial about what to expect during your participation.

    Common Reasons Cited by Participants for Discontinuing a Paid Covid Clinical Trial

    • Side effects from the treatment intervention
    • Unplanned move or lifestyle change
    • Financial reasons
    • Fear
    • Time
    • Family reasons, childcare concerns etc.

  • What type of information is normally collected in paid covid clinical trials?

    You should expect to provide the clinical trial sponsors with detailed personal health and lifestyle information throughout the entire scope of the paid clinical trial. Patients must undergo various medical tests and procedures as part of the evaluation process. Clinical trial coordinators will use this information to determine if you are a suitable candidate. Stakeholders collect as much patient data as possible to validate the endpoint of the clinical trial findings.

    The final report may include:

    •Your blood test values.
    • Changes in personal health related to weight, eating habits, lifestyle
    • Any adverse effects.
    • Personal experience.
    • Enhanced risk factors
    • Health complications
    • Effectiveness of vaccine product at select intervals.

  • How long do paid covid clinical trials last?

    Paid covid clinical trials vary in length because it entails a public health threat. You may have to endure a specific quarantine period and engage in post-trial testing, making it difficult to pinpoint an exact length of time the trial may last. It is common for the clinical trial process to span many years before each phase is completed and approved for mainstream use in the public marketplace.

  • If I am interested in participating in a paid covid clinical trial, what questions should I ask?

    It is normal to have some nervousness and uncertainty. We advise asking as many questions as you need to feel necessary to fully understand the nature of the trial and what it involves – not just for you but also for your family.

    The NIH maintains clear guidance for running ethical clinical trials with a strong emphasis on patient safety. Referenced as informed consent, the clinical trial sponsors must disclose must the following information:

    1. The comprehensive nature of the treatment, procedure, or drug.
    2. Any inherent risks associated with the intended treatment methods.
    3. Reasonable alternatives to the procedure or treatment intervention.
    4. Assessment and acknowledgment that you, the patient, are in complete understanding of items 1-3.

    Informed consent is required and articulates the agreement between you, your healthcare physician, and clinical trial sponsors. The purpose of informed consent is to provide the patient with the details of every facet of the intended clinical trial study plan. This goal of informed consent is to establish trust and confidence between the eligible participant and the clinical trial sponsor team leads.

  • What to ask:

    – Inquire as to the goals or aim of the paid clinical trial.
    – Ask if you will have to quarantine.
    – Ask if meals are provided and any home care needs.
    – Ask about the potential for long-term complications.
    – Ask what benefits you are entitled to such as post trial care services.
    – Clarify the stipend amounts for any paid compensation and travel expenses.
    – You may ask if family members may accompany you during hospital stays or doctor visits.
    – It would be appropriate to ask questions related to likelihood of discomfort, pain, or side effects that may be experienced.
    – Inquire about the number of clinical visits may be expected.
    – Ask what home-care services and strategies are available during the paid clinical trial.
    – Ask about any emergency protocols and procedures.
    – Inquire about a need to be hospitalized and any associated costs.
    – Some clinical studies are randomized trial designs where they include the use of a placebo. Therefore, asking what type of trial design and what is involved with the paid clinical study you are interested in.
    – Inquire about the endpoint findings and any access to results.
    – Inquire as to the number of patients will be recruited.