Reliable vaccine study execution starts long before the first participant visit

How FVR’s clinical operations model supports high-quality vaccine studies across Finland

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For vaccine developers, country and site selection is ultimately about execution. Recruitment needs to proceed efficiently, participant visits must follow the protocol, timelines need to hold across sites, data must remain consistent, and follow-up must be reliable.

FVR – Finnish Vaccine Research supports clinical vaccine studies in Finland through a coordinated network of eight clinics, giving sponsors one partner for nationwide study delivery.

FVR’s clinical operations are led by Paula Karhumaa, Chief Clinical Operations Officer. “Behind every successful vaccine study is an experienced multidisciplinary team combining science, operations, participant communication and regulatory discipline,” says Paula.
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One Finnish clinic network, one operating model
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For vaccine developers, the FVR network offers clear practical value: lighter administration, consistent processes, aligned study conduct and more predictable collaboration across sites. “Instead of managing separate agreements and operational practices clinic by clinic, sponsors can work with one organization, one operating model and one contract,” says Paula.
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FVR’s clinical operations model brings together:

• eight specialized vaccine research clinics across Finland
• one coordinated network and one contract
• experienced vaccine research teams with GCP-trained clinical staff
• consistent processes and operating models across sites
• efficient participant recruitment and communication
• volunteer portal with thousands of registered volunteers
• volunteer satisfaction at approximately 96%
• dropout rate below 1%

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Protocol discipline and data quality
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The quality of the final evidence depends on the quality of every operational step: recruitment, consent, vaccination visits, follow-up, documentation, data collection and participant communication.

At FVR, each clinic has an experienced vaccine research team, with staff trained in Good Clinical Practice. The organization is agile, but the execution model is disciplined.

This combination is particularly important in studies where large participant numbers must be recruited and followed within a short time frame. “When needed, FVR can scale operations flexibly through shift work and trained temporary clinical staff. Decades of specialized vaccine research experience go a long way,” says Paula.

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Fast recruitment is key
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In clinical vaccine studies, one of the most common operational challenges is recruitment: how to reach the required number of eligible participants within the planned timeline.

FVR has built recruitment capabilities specifically for vaccine studies. Finland’s high level of digitalization supports efficient participant communication and online recruitment processes. FVR’s volunteer portal means that when a new study starts, FVR is not beginning from zero. There is already a reserve of potential volunteers who can be mobilized fast.
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Strong participant commitment supports study continuity
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Recruitment is only one part of the equation. Retention is equally important.

When participants remain committed to the study, follow-up is more complete, data quality improves and operational uncertainty decreases. Finnish study participants are highly committed once they decide to take part. Across FVR’s studies, the dropout rate has remained well below 1%.

“Volunteers are at the core of FVR’s work. The organization prides itself on meeting every participant professionally, respectfully and responsibly, so that the study experience is clear, safe and positive. We measure volunteer satisfaction at our clinics, and satisfaction has remained consistently high, at approximately 96%,” says Paula.
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Planning a clinical vaccine study in Finland?
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FVR supports global vaccine developers with clinical vaccine studies, pragmatic studies and real-world evidence generation in Finland. Contact FVR to discuss how our nationwide clinic network, vaccine-specific expertise and operational model could support your next study.

 “We greatly value FVR’s high level of professionalism, responsible practices, and commitment to the quality of research. Our collaboration has been extremely valuable to us.” -Terhi Hirvonen, Director, Clinical Operations, Nordic Cluster, GlaxoSmithKline