Hundreds of people in Cornwall are needed to take part in a new Covid-19 vaccine study.
More than 2,400 people in the county have now registered their interest to take part in studies through the NHS Vaccines Research Registry.
At least 200 of those local volunteers are now needed to take part in the world’s first Phase 3 study of the new Novavax COVID-19 vaccine.
The study will test the safety and effectiveness of a promising new vaccine, developed by US biotechnology company Novavax.
A broad spectrum of people is required, including those from a variety of age groups and backgrounds.
Among those who has already signed up is Cornish MP Steve Double, who had his first dose of the vaccine this week.
“When I heard about the Phase 3 trial for this important vaccine being held in Cornwall I was keen to find out more and offer myself as a volunteer," he said.
“With my role as Parliamentary Private Secretary to the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, I have attended dozens of meetings with Ministerial colleagues, the Department of Health and the NHS and know first hand how important it is to find a effective and safe vaccine to bring an end to this crisis. A huge amount of effort is being put into finding a vaccine but none will be licensed for use unless successful clinical trials are able to take place.
“Taking part in this trial is something I can do personally to help this cause and I am happy to sign up and do my bit. I will now be closely monitored over the coming weeks as part of the trial and await its outcome with interest.”
The Novavax trial is one of a number of COVID-19 vaccine studies due to open to patients in the South West over the coming months.
Dr Duncan Browne, consultant endocrinologist at Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust who will lead the study for Cornwall, said: “We are delighted to be able to offer people in Cornwall the opportunity to participate in this important and exciting research. We have all been
affected by COVID-19 in differing ways and we look forward to contributing towards what we hope will be an effective vaccine to enable recovery from this devastating pandemic.”
Nationally 15,000 volunteers will be needed to take part in the study, as the number of people who have signed up to the NHS Vaccine Registry reaches over 300,000.
The trials in Cornwall will take place at the Knowledge Spa on the Treliske hospital site. The study has also been running in Exeter at the Nightingale Hospital since the end of September.
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.