Edegem (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – Vaccinopolis in Edegem, part of the University of Antwerp, seeks 200 volunteers for a summer flu study. Director Pierre Van Damme says participants earn €4,500 for 12‑13 days in quarantine.
As VRT News reported, Vaccinopolis in Edegem, in the province of Antwerp, Belgium, is looking for people to help with a flu study this summer. The centre is part of the University of Antwerp. Volunteers will stay in quarantine for almost 2 weeks. They will get a tiny dose of an old flu virus that once spread in Belgium.
Director Pierre Van Damme says it should only cause mild symptoms, like a flu or feeling tired. The team will watch them closely the whole time. They will take blood and nose swabs every day. This way, they can see how the body reacts from the start. They mentioned that the strict rules keep the volunteers safe and help the research give clear results.
What is Vaccinopolis in Edegem offering in its €4,500 flu study?
According to officials, the study is not just about one flu strain. Scientists want to learn how vaccines stop infection before it begins. Most flu shots today only help to make symptoms lighter. They do not always keep the virus out or stop it from spreading.
Researchers will watch how the body reacts step by step. They hope this will show what is needed to block infection fully. This could lead to new vaccines that stop flu and other viruses from moving between people. The work is done under strict safety rules at Vaccinopolis to keep testing safe and controlled.
Director Pierre Van Damme says more than 100 people have already shown interest, but not everyone will meet the rules to take part. Because of that, the team wants at least 100 more volunteers to be sure they have enough people for the study. Volunteers must be between 18 and 55 years old. They must also be in good health so they can safely complete the study without risk.
“We’re doing this to prevent the scientific research from being distorted by any flu infections among the volunteers”,
Director Pierre Van Damme said.
Officials mentioned that there is already strong interest from students and teachers, many of whom are on summer break and have time for the 12 to 13 days in quarantine. Volunteers will get about €4,500 as payment for taking part and giving their time.
Vaccinopolis in Edegem is a new lab built to study viruses. It opened in 2022 and has rooms where people can stay safely in quarantine. Doctors there can give a very small dose of a virus to healthy volunteers and watch what happens from the start. This way, they learn how the body fights back. The centre is one of the few places in Europe that can do this kind of work.
