Vaccine trial volunteer speaks out of his pride in helping to fight Covid-19

The trial, led by biotechnology company Novavax,  is one of the National Institute for Health Research’s (NIHR) urgent studies, backed by the government’s Vaccine Taskforce.

It is taking place at the NIHR/Wellcome King’s Clinical Research Facility at King’s College Hospital, Denmark Hill.

Initial results of phase three trials of the Novavax Covid-19 vaccine have found it was 89.3 per cent effective against the virus.

It is 95.6 per cent effective against the original strain and 85.6 per cent against the newer one.

The vaccine will require final approval from the government’s Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency before it can be used.

Conor, a research communications manager at a medical research charity said: “Research is the only way in which we are going to return, as a country, to some semblance of normality and I want to help keep my relatives and the rest of society safe from Covid-19.

“I have been really impressed with how quickly the vaccines have been developed, but researchers wouldn’t have been able to test any of them without the help of volunteers.

“As part of my work in a medical research charity, I am always telling people about the importance of getting the flu jab every year – so I couldn’t say no to Novavax.

“Here was my chance to be involved in essential research and to help in the national fightback against this awful disease.

“This was my first time on a clinical trial and I would most certainly volunteer to take part in another one in the future.

“The research team at King’s College Hospital were just so friendly and professional. I was very impressed by my experience.

“There is still a need for more research into Covid-19 vaccines to help us to tackle this virus – so my message to others is: please sign up to the NHS’s vaccine research registry and get involved in the process.”

The 30-year-old, who shares a home with his partner and two cats, got a telephone call from the hospital team, a week after volunteering, to check his eligibility and to explain how the trial worked.

On his first visit in October doctors explained why blood tests and Covid-19 swabs, were necessary.

Then he got his first dose of the vaccine – or a placebo: he won’t know which one he received until the trial has finished.

He was kept under observation for a short period for any side effects, then sent home with an app to upload any reactions or side effects for the following week – and didn’t experience any.

Conor received his second dose a few weeks later and is now taking part in regular follow-up appointments to monitor the safety and effectiveness of the vaccine, on tests supported by the NIHR Clinical Research Network South London.

“This is the first Covid-19 vaccine that has been proven to be effective against the new strains of this virus, which will provide reassurance to millions of people around the world.

“I’d like to personally thank Conor and all of our volunteers for taking part in such an important clinical trial.”

The NHS Covid-19 Vaccine Research Registry is an online service which gives people the chance to register their interest to participate in Covid-19 vaccine research.

You can find out more about the registry on the NHS website.