Covid-19 vaccine will be tested in Torpoint

RESIDENTS of a Cornish town will be some of the first people in the world to receive a dose of a trial vaccine for Covid-19.

The clinical trial for AstraZeneca and Oxford University’s coronavirus vaccine began on Monday and needs 100 volunteers from the Torpoint area.

The trial is now in its crucial third phase, in which a greater number of volunteers can be used. It particularly needs adults who are at increased risk of Covid-19.

Rame Group Practice, in Torpoint, is one of nine UK sites to trial the vaccine, and the 100 Cornish volunteers will join 5,000 people across the world in receiving it.

Dr Lawrence Barnes, from the surgery, said: “We recruited our first two patients yesterday and are excited about offering the opportunity to be involved in such an important study to more people.

“Our patients have always been very proactive around research and I am sure will relish the chance to help in the fight against Covid by assisting with the study.”

The NHS vaccines registry, which people volunteer to be on, has also called 5,000 people to join the study.

This latest development comes after the Novavax vaccine trial called for 200 volunteers Cornwallwide last week.

AstraZeneca’s vaccine trial is being hosted from Torpoint, Manchester, London, Southampton, West Yorkshire, Enfield, Rochdale, and Preston – but more surgeries may yet be called to join.

Kate Bingham, the head of the UK Government’s vaccine taskforce, said: “It’s crucial that we leave no one behind as we move closer to finding both a vaccine and developing more treatments for Covid-19.”