The South Bend Clinic is seeking volunteers for a clinical trial of a promising COVID-19 vaccine from Johnson & Johnson that federal authorities could approve in the near future.

Out of the 300 people needed locally, representing a range of adult ages, genders, races, ethnicities and medical conditions, Mark Piechowiak is among the 30 who’ve applied so far to receive the shots — either the proposed vaccine or a placebo.

“I am interested in signing up for any trial to help anybody,” said the 48-year-old South Bend man, waiting Wednesday in the clinic’s research quarters for a physical exam to see if he qualifies. “As soon as this (virus) went big last year, any trial I can, I’m going to do.”

The clinic started enrolling volunteers and giving shots this month, one of 100 research sites selected around the world, 50 of them in the United States, said Dr. James Harris, an allergist who is medical director of research at South Bend Clinic.

Read the complete story by Joseph Dits in the South Bend Tribune