HASTINGS, NE — Healthcare staff at this central Nebraska facility are on the front lines of the fight to eradicate one of the most dangerous diseases for young children.

Meridian Clinical Research in Hastings is enrolling participants for a clinical study of a possible RSV vaccine. RSV is an incredibly prevalent respiratory illness that can be severe, especially for infants younger than two-years-old.

“Any parent who’s had a child with RSV, knows that they’re holding their breath looking at their kid watching their kid struggle to breathe," Dr. Daniel Leonard said. "So usually a week in, you’re either going to start getting better or you’re going to be packing your bags to head to the hospital.”

Dr. Daniel Leonard is a pediatrician and principal investigator for the study in Hastings. He says that on top of causing more than 100,000 hospitalizations in the US each year, RSV also increases the chances of developing childhood asthma.

“Having a safe and effective vaccine is just paramount in pediatric medicine," Leonard said. "In my mind… (it’s) probably the last main vaccine that we’re missing in the typical and traditional regimen of childhood vaccines that we already have available to us.”

The solution being tested is a live attenuated vaccine, meaning it includes a weakened strain of the virus with genetic modifications.

“We’re checking several doses, we’re checking several strengths of the vaccine to find the sweet spot of what’s effective and what’s well-tolerated - always looking at safety being the first priority,” Leonard said.

Meridian is looking for participants between six months and three-year-old who are healthy and haven’t been exposed to RSV. If they pass screening, the family will be compensated for time and travel during the year-long study. Leonard says the biggest draw is the chance to help end the threat of RSV.

You can learn more about the study by visiting the Meridian Clinical Research website.