Greater Manchester citizens encouraged to help identify more COVID-19 vaccines to protect all
People in Greater Manchester are being encouraged to take part in research trials to identify more COVID-19 vaccines and ensure the NHS can protect everyone in our community from the virus.
Two licensed vaccines are now being rolled out to the most vulnerable people and a third has been approved for use in the UK.
These developments have been possible thanks to the thousands of volunteers who agreed to be part of clinical trials to prove their safety and effectiveness.
Now however, there is still more vital research being carried out, in Greater Manchester and across the UK, to ensure there are vaccines for everyone.
There are different types of vaccines and researchers are continuing trials to see which ones best protect people from COVID-19. Different vaccines will be needed for different groups of people.
This variety will be needed to help keep everyone safe and meet the supply demand as the UK embarks on an unprecedented vaccine programme.
The NHS needs your help to develop these vaccines for all. People over the age of 18, who have not yet received a licensed COVID-19 vaccine, can register their interest by signing up to the NHS COVID-19 vaccine research registry. By doing so, you will join a database of volunteers who agree to be contacted by NHS researchers when a suitable trial is happening near you.
Professor Andy Ustianowski, an infectious diseases consultant at North Manchester General Hospital and NIHR Clinical Research Network national specialty lead for infection, said: “The fact we now have three licensed vaccines in the UK is testament to the global efforts of the life sciences industry, researchers and the fantastic volunteers who agreed to get involved in a vaccine study.
“However, it’s now absolutely crucial that other research continues because, in order to protect the population, we need data about a number of different vaccines. This is where people can help - by registering their interest in getting involved in a trial.
“The NHS will need several vaccines to ensure an adequate supply and because some vaccines may be easier to transport and store than others. We need further data on which vaccines are best suited to specific groups of people, such as older people or people with other medical conditions, and all the trials are giving information on safety, which is so important to gather.”
Sign-up to the vaccine registry. Signing up does not commit you to being part of a trial – you can say ‘no’ at any stage and request that your details be removed from the COVID-19 vaccine research registry.
