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North West London volunteers to take part in COVID-19 vaccine studies

Scientist using a needle to withdraw a dose of a vaccine from a vial.

Ten thousand UK volunteers will be be invited to join a leading phase three COVID-19 vaccine study, as the number of people who have signed up to take part in research hits 250,000.

The study will test the safety and effectiveness of a promising new vaccine, developed by US biotechnology company Novavax, across a broad spectrum of people, including those from a variety age groups and backgrounds. Phase 3 studies involve many thousands of people, giving researchers insights into the effects of a vaccine on a much larger population than phase 1 and 2 studies.

Calling on some of the thousands of volunteers who have joined the fight against Covid-19 through the NHS Vaccine Registry, the phase three trials are the second to commence in the UK and will be undertaken at a number of National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) regional sites across the UK, including Lancashire, the Midlands, Greater Manchester, London, Glasgow and Belfast.

The Registry was launched in July to help create a database of people who consent to be contacted by the NHS to take part in clinical studies, to help speed up the development of a safe and effective vaccine. Since then 5310 people have signed up in North West London. 

With several more studies for potential vaccine candidates expected to start before the end of the year, UK researchers are calling for additional volunteers to sign up to take part in research. To better understand the effectiveness of vaccine candidates and help find a vaccine that works for as many people as soon as possible, researchers are particularly seeking more volunteers from Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds as well as those with underlying health conditions and the over 65s.

Dr Marta Boffito, Principal Investigator of the trial at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, said:

"We're very excited to be delivering this trial at our sites. It's a promising new vaccine that is urgently needed.

"The vaccine register has been a great resource, making it very easy for us to find and invite eligible volunteers to take part locally.

“It's good to hear so many people have already signed-up to the register, including thousands in North West London. Many more are still needed so we’re encouraging others to join too. Volunteers will play a big part in helping us to find a vaccine for COVID-19.”

 To support the national effort to speed up vaccine research and receive more information about volunteering for clinical studies visit www.nhs.uk/researchcontact.