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Welcome to the first BRACE newsletter!
Since the BRACE trial started on 30 March 2020, over 2800 participants have been recruited in Melbourne and Perth.
Some key reminders!
Don't forget - your contribution is super important, whether or not you have received the BCG vaccine!
COVID-19 Testing
Each time you have a fever or any respiratory symptoms, please get tested for COVID-19 as required by your institution, and let us know the result (via the End of Episode questionnaire in the app).
Recording Symptoms
It is very important that ALL participants record their symptoms using our specially-designed Trial Symptom Tracker app.
This means that even if you did not receive the BCG vaccine, we still need you to tell us about your symptoms.
Trial Symptom Tracker app
- If you haven't already, download the app onto your smartphone
The app can be found here:
Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=au.edu.mcri.tst&hl=en_AU
App Store: https://apps.apple.com/au/app/trial-symptom-tracker/id1505293434
- Please update the app regularly (or turn on automatic updates)
We're constantly improving the app, so don't forget to update it to see the changes.
- Remember to keep Push notifications ON
Once a week, a Push notification asks you to report your symptoms for the last week. It is very important that you answer this question, so that we know if you have been well or unwell in the past week.
Vaccine Diary
Make sure you have completed your online Vaccine Diary, for both the BCG AND flu vaccine sites. We will send you the link to your Vaccine Diary if it has not been completed.
Please note - the Vaccine Diary is separate to the app.
Safety Monitoring
- Our website has tips for vaccine site management:
https://www.mcri.edu.au/BRACE/what-to-expect
- If you have any concerns, please don't hesitate to get in touch with us!
Email us at brace@mcri.edu.au (VIC) or brace@telethonkids.org.au (WA)
What's next for BRACE?
- We are very excited to have recently secured an additional AU$10m in funding from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. With this increased funding, we will be increasing recruitment from 4,000 to 10,000 participants, including sites overseas.
- Epworth Hospital & Monash Medical Centre will be restarting recruitment next week.
- New sites in Adelaide will begin recruitment soon.
Where is our funding from?
We're very grateful for the generous philanthropic donations that have made the BRACE trial possible.
- The Royal Children's Hospital Foundation (RCHF)
- Sarah & Lachlan Murdoch
- The Minderoo Foundation
- South Australian State Government
- NAB Foundation
- Calvert-Jones Foundation
- Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
- Individual donors
Watch a welcome video from our Trial Program Manager, Kaya Gardiner.
BRACE in the media
New York Times: Can an Old Vaccine Stop the New Coronavirus?
Bloomberg: Century-Old Vaccine Investigated as a Weapon Against Coronavirus
CBS News: Century-old tuberculosis vaccine could be a weapon against coronavirus
Sydney Morning Herald: Bill Gates donates $10m to Australian trial of immune-boosting vaccine
The Australian: Murdochs support crucial vaccine trials to protect health workers
BRACE Contact Details
VICTORIA
Phone: 0409 846 988
Email: brace@mcri.edu.au
Website: mcri.edu.au/brace
WESTERN AUSTRALIA
Phone: 0400 450 240
Email: brace@telethonkids.org.au