KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WVLT) -- The Federal government is taking pro-active steps to prevent bio-terrorism in the U.S. But, they need you to sign up to test a vaccine for the plague.

The Bubonic Plague is one of the oldest known diseases, according to the Centers for Disease Control, and it's the CDC's number one concern as a biological weapon. Now they are testing a vaccine in nationwide, including East Tennessee.

The CDC says about a dozen people in the U..S. are infected with the plague every year, but world-wide, there are 1 to 3-thousand cases a year.

Dr. William Smith is the Director of NOCCR and Volunteer Research Group, based in UT Medical Center.

He said, "The reason the Department of Defense is proceeding is that the Plague is on the list of potential bio-terrorist agents, in that it can be aerosolized and affect large numbers of people."

Dr. Smith says they're one of 10 sites nation-wide selected to run a clinical trial, testing a Plague vaccine.

Dr. Smith said, "This is a new vaccine that's being grown in bacteria so that it has less of a chance for a reaction, serious reaction."

Plague infections can result in swollen glands, with large marks on the skin.

Dr. Smith said, "It's only fatal in 10 to 20 percent of people that are treated that have the classic Bubonic Plague. And, the ones that have the aerosolized, the Pneumonic Plague, unfortunately, the mortality rate is still in the 40 to 50 percent range, even with treatment."

They need 30 to 40 healthy study participants, ages 18 to 55 to test the vaccine.

James Harris is participating in a different study, and has advice for anyone considering a clinical trial. "They really have to be geared to do it, and they have to want to do it."

Harris says the extra money also helps.

Dr. Smith said, "Everybody will get followed for a total of a year and a half, we'll be looking at their antibody levels during that time." He added, "We're not exposing anyone to the Plague."

Harris advises you to thoroughly examine the possible side effects in a study, to decide if you're comfortable participating.

Dr. Smith said, "In the study so far, the majority of people have had minor side effects, the most common being injection site pain, redness, swelling."

Volunteer Research Group is looking for volunteers to test the Plague vaccine, through the end of the week.

If you stay through the entire year and a half of the study, you could earn $1,600, $100 for each visit.

To participate in this study call Volunteer Research Group at 865-305-3784 or log on to www.VRGUT.com