‘WE CANNOT LET COVID RIP THROUGH THE POPULATION’
PM’S PLEDGE AS HE OUTLINES NEW MEASURES TO FIGHT VIRUS:
VOLUNTEERS are being sought in North Staffordshire to take part in a study into a vaccine against coronavirus.
The Midlands Partnership NHS Foundation Trust (MPFT) has been selected to host the National Institute for Health Research’s regional site in the West Midlands, where a 12-month study will take place to test the effectiveness of the Novavax Covid-19 vaccine candidate.
Scientists are looking for 500 suitable local volunteers to join the West Midlands study which is based in Staffordshire and will be supported by Keele University. They will join a total of 10,000 volunteers at sites across the UK.
People who are from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic backgrounds, as well as those with long-term health conditions, are encouraged to be part of the vaccine research. Anyone willing to take part is asked to sign up online.
Neil Carr, Chief Executive of MPFT – which provides health and social care services cross Staffordshire, Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin, as well as specialist services across large parts of the country – said: “We have all been fighting the coronavirus and we have all had to make significant changes to our lives. But in that fight we know that one of the key milestones is going to be a vaccine which is effective.
“With this in mind I am delighted to announce that Midlands Partnership NHS Foundation Trust will be leading local efforts to find a vaccine for Covid-19, with support from with our partners at the National Institute of Health Research, Clinical Research Network West Midlands, Keele University and local colleagues within Primary Care.
“The study will test the effectiveness of the Novavax Covid-19 vaccine candidate and will be led by the Trust’s highly skilled and experienced Research and Innovation Department who specialise in research and clinical trials. This is an important opportunity to be part of groundbreaking research which has the potential to have a significant impact on public health.”
The study will test the safety and effectiveness of the investigational vaccine, developed by US biotechnology company Novavax, across a wide range of people including those from a range of age groups and backgrounds.
It is a ‘phase three’ study, which involve many thousands of people giving researchers more insights into the effects of a vaccine on a much larger population than phase one and two studies.
Ruth Lambley-burke, Head of Research and Innovation at the Trust said; “Clinical research is extremely important in the fight against Covid-19 and we are pleased to play our role in the phase three Novavax clinical study in the West Midlands.”
National Institute for Health Research’s CRN West Midlands Clinical Director, Professor Jeremy Kirk, added: “Without the selflessness of those who are willing to help researchers find an effective vaccine, our chance of fighting Covid-19 would be much reduced, so we are incredibly grateful to all those who volunteer.”
To volunteer, register at the National Institute of Health Research registry.