COVID-19 and Human Subject Research
OVCR Update – COVID19 and Human Subject Research
Researchers with Human Subjects and COVID-19 sample Contact are eligible for COVID-19 Vaccine
Illinois and Chicago are in Phase 1b for COVID-19 vaccine distribution (https://www.dph.illinois.gov/covid19/vaccine-faq ). All phase 1a health care workers and health care related essential personnel at UIC have received invitations to schedule vaccines. UI Health is also now offering vaccine to researchers with human subjects or COVID-19 patient materials contact. Some have been offered vaccine already, but not all have been identified. Department heads and directors and individual investigators are invited to provide rosters of faculty and research staff (including students and volunteers) who have contact with human subjects or COVID-19 specimens or samples on research protocols. Lists may be submitted to covidvaccine@uic.edu and must include Name; UIN numbers; and Email contacts. Eligible groups will be invited to schedule their vaccine appointments using the UIC EPIC MyChart system. Pre-registration in MyChart is recommended as the email from the Vaccine Project will notify you when you can go to MyChart to make a vaccine appointment. https://hospital.uillinois.edu/patients-and-visitors/patient-information/mychart. Please contact covidvaccine@uic.edu if you have questions about prioritization and the vaccine roll out to our campus population.
Research protocols that can be conducted without face-to-face contact are encouraged to continue to use IRB-approved alternate procedures. Protocols that have reopened with face-to-face contact are reminded to use masks, maintain six foot distance whenever possible, and handwashing/sanitizer use. Researchers whose studies face-to-face protocols were paused or modified or who are starting new human subjects protocols are reminded that starting or restarting face-to-face contact requires a Human Subjects COVID-19 Review. The application to open or re-open IRB approved protocols should be submitted to the OVCR through: https://uic.infoready4.com/#manageCompetitionsDetail/1817478 (UIC login is required). Please contact research@uic.edu if you have any questions about these requirements.