Participants taking part in Greater Manchester’s first Covid-19 vaccine trial have shared their experiences and why they chose to take part.
The study is testing the safety and efficacy of a vaccine being developed by US-based Novavax. This is the first in a number of Phase 3 Covid-19 vaccine trials to be carried out in Greater Manchester, in cooperation with the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR). Phase 3 studies will involve many thousands of participants to gain insights into a vaccine’s effects on a large population.
Almost 750 volunteers from Stockport, South East Manchester and East Cheshire areas are taking part in the trial, which closed to new participants this week. A total of 15,000 volunteers are taking part nationally.
Around 140 members of NHS staff from across Greater Manchester have been working on carrying out this study at a community sports club, supporting Stockport NHS Foundation Trust as part of a large-scale collaborative effort.
A number of participants in Stockport have shared their stories behind signing up to the NHS Vaccine Registry to take part in the clinical trials.
Stephen, 39, of Edgeley, said:
I’ve never taken part in research before, but I wanted to get involved in this trial because of the situation with COVID-19. I’ve got a few friends and family who have not really left the house since the beginning of the pandemic, so I just thought the sooner we can get back to some variation of normal, the better, and a vaccine could help with that.
“On the day of my first appointment, I was given detailed information at every stage about what the trial involves and why it is taking place. A doctor then did some thorough measurements and checks with me before I was given either the vaccine that’s being trialled or a placebo. The nursing team was really thorough and talked me through exactly what the next steps will be as I continue through the trial.”
Dr David Baxter, Principal Investigator for the trial at Stockport NHS Foundation Trust, expressed his gratitude to those taking part in the study. He said:
We have had an absolutely tremendous response from the public in joining in our research trial. Establishing safe vaccines to combat COVID-19 has been one of the key medical challenges the world has faced in modern times, and people have been very keen to help our research team with this.
“I’d like to say a huge thank you to all our volunteers for their time, effort and support, and also acknowledge the considerable input from healthcare staff both in Stockport and from across Greater Manchester for their tireless work in the study.”
While the Novavax trial has now closed to new participants, there are other Covid-19 vaccine trials taking place locally and more are due to be undertaken over the coming months, calling on volunteers who have signed up to the NHS Vaccine Registry. Sign-up now here.