A CHALLENGE TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE.
Human challenge study volunteers play a vital role in advancing infectious disease research around the world. Whether it’s to learn about a disease or to develop and evaluate a new vaccine or treatment, these studies wouldn’t be possible without participants who take up the challenge.
Participate fully informed
Also known as controlled human infection models, human challenge trials are a type of clinical trial that intentionally exposes healthy adult volunteers to a virus or bacteria.
The decision to participate in a study that involves intentional exposure to a disease is not something to be taken lightly. We want you to be fully informed and feel comfortable with all the possible risks before you begin your journey as a study participant.
The contents of this page only provide a general overview of what it’s like to be part of a challenge study. If you decide to express interest in a challenge study at CCfV, staff will provide you with more details specific to the study you are interested in and answer all the questions you have about participating.
The Participant Experience
-
Health Support
Every study is designed with participant safety at the forefront. If you decide to participate, you can expect mild symptoms or sometimes no symptoms at all. Researchers also know what symptoms to expect and will plan for ways to ease them. Your health will be carefully monitored throughout the trial, and healthcare workers are on-site around the clock.
-
Free Time
There are multiple sets of lab test scheduled each day, and you can spend the rest of your time working remotely, gaming, or maybe learning a new hobby. It’s up to you! Laundry and meal services (and sometimes takeout or streaming services) are provided. Some past participants have found the experience a welcome get away from chores and responsibilities.
-
Mental & Emotional Wellness
The team at CCfV will make sure that you are provided with the accommodations you need throughout the trial to help make your experience in isolation as comfortable as possible. You will also have access to support from a mental health professional. If you or healthcare staff deem that your mental wellness is at risk, you are able to make a decision to receive antibiotics early and leave the study.
-
Meaningful Impact
Human challenge trials have given researchers an important understanding of diseases, our immune responses, and the effectiveness of vaccines and treatments. These insights can push us closer to finding better methods of protecting against disease in our communities and around the world. When you participate in a challenge study, you will be able to connect with other participants who, like you, are making a meaningful difference.
Participants are also reimbursed for their time and inconvenience.
Challenge study participants receive $350 per day/night spent inside the Challenge Unit and $50 per follow-up visit.
The Halifax Challenge Unit
Challenge trials at CCfV take place in the Challenge Unit, a specialized inpatient facility with private rooms. Challenge studies involve an extended stay in the Challenge Unit while you may be infectious.
Are there any risks to taking part?
The level of risk in a human challenge trial is typically comparable to the risk in a regular outpatient clinical trial.
No study involving people can be completely risk-free, but there are measures that human challenge trials put in place to make it as safe as possible. The potential risks will always be thoroughly outlined for you before you consent to taking part in a trial.
The risks are different for each study, but here are some that challenge trials may have in common:
-
Medical procedures such as the challenge inoculation (when you are administered the virus or bacteria), blood sampling, or EKG monitoring may cause slight discomforts such as skin irritation.
-
Antibiotic side effects can include an upset stomach and there is always the risk of a rare allergic reaction.
-
Challenge trials are designed to make sure you only experience mild illness, but there is still a very low chance of developing more serious symptoms. The research team will make sure you know all potential symptoms of the disease and what that level of risk is.
-
Long periods away from your family, friends, and usual social activities can be difficult. Study staff make every effort to help make your stay as comfortable as possible, and there are virtual social events planned for participants - but loneliness or other mental health concerns are still a risk in this environment. Mental health professionals are available to ensure participants have the supports they need. If mental health becomes a concern, there is a treatment available to safely leave the study earlier than planned.
If any serious complications do develop, appropriate medical care will be provided and the study will usually be interrupted until an evaluation is done. Challenge trials also have a rescue therapy (a treatment that will stop the infection at any point) available. This means that if you do experience unintended symptoms or want to leave the study, the research team are able to treat the infection quickly and effectively.
Have more questions about participation?
We can’t do it alone.
We wouldn’t be able to solve some of the world’s biggest health problems without our amazing volunteers. The decision is entirely up to you, and you can withdraw from a study at any time.
Current studies
-
![]()
Pertussis
Pertussis (whooping cough) is highly contagious and, despite vaccines, still common. We want to help find a way to improve vaccines and immunity.
We need healthy volunteers age 18-40 able to stay in the inpatient Challenge Unit for 16-21 days.
