NHS staff in Scotland at forefront of race to find Covid-19 vaccine

Glasgow University research team to lead clinical and research trials

Glasgow University and NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde are to support phase III of the Covid-19 vaccine trials.

In collaboration with Oxford University’s trials, 250 health and care staff living in Greater Glasgow and Clyde will be invited to take part in the trials.

Participants need to be between 18 and 55 years old, healthy, and not infected at any point with Covid-19.

Frontline health, dental and care staff as well as non-clinical staff such as those from portering and domestic services are encouraged to apply.

The group will be given either one or two doses of the ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 vaccine or a licensed meningitis vaccine (MenACWY) which will be used as a control for comparison.

Screening and vaccination of participants will begin in the next two weeks, and participants will be involved in the trial for 12 months.

Emma Thomson, professor of infectious diseases at the MRCUniversity of Glasgow, said: “We are extremely proud to be leading the phase II/III part of the Oxford University Covid-19 vaccine trial in Glasgow in partnership with the NHS.

“An effective vaccine would be an important step forward in controlling the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic on a global scale.

“We will be working closely with colleagues at Oxford to determine if the ChAdOx1 vaccine protects those who receive it from infection in a phase III clinical trial, following successful smaller phase I and II trials in Oxford.

“The vaccine will be tested initially in frontline healthcare staff in order to test the effectiveness and safety of immunisation in an at-risk group.

“Although we are still at a very early stage, we remain hopeful that the information we gather will contribute to international efforts to secure a vaccine to protect those most vulnerable to infection.”

Health Secretary Jeane Freeman said she was delighted that Scotland was taking part in the trials, adding: “Scotland has a long established reputation for medical research.

“The commitment of teams across Scotland has been outstanding and is testament to the world-class research infrastructure we have here.”

An effective vaccine would be a step forward in controlling the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic on a global scale. PROFESSOR EMMA THOMSON

The vaccines are expected to be tested initially on frontline healthcare staff in Scotland.