Volunteers needed for Moderna's Omicron vaccine trial at Wansford and King's Cliffe Practice
A GP surgery leading a new UK covid vaccine trial is looking for 100 participants.
The study at Wansford and King’s Cliffe Practice opened today (Wednesday) and will see people receive a new jab over the next four weeks.
The booster, from drug company Moderna, is 'Omicron specific' and one of the world’s first variant vaccines to be trialled in the East of England.
Half of the volunteers will receive the Omicron variant vaccine and the other half a standard Moderna Covid-19 vaccine, already widely used.
Dr Rhiannon Nally from the Wansford surgery, said: “We see this as crucial research in the fight against coronavirus as we acknowledge that we all have to learn to live with it and be able to respond to emerging new strains quickly.”
Participants need to be aged 16 or over, covid-free since the beginning of November and should have had their last vaccine at least three months ago. The study is also open to people who have not yet had a third 'booster' dose.
Dr Amrit Takhar from the National Institute for Health Research, which is working with Moderna on the study, said: “It is thanks to the generosity of those who have volunteered to participate in trials, along with the incredible efforts of our research community, that we have managed to find the vaccines and treatments we have so far.
“However, we still have answers to find to make sure we can continue to protect everyone, everywhere, as much as possible, which is why this trial testing a vaccine for the Omicron variant is so important.”
Participants will be monitored throughout the year-long study for any potential side effects and will have to attend to at least seven visits.
They will be part of a wider study involving 3,000 UK volunteers.
People wishing to find out if they are eligible for the trial can click here or call the Research Team at Wansford and King’s Cliffe Practice on 01780 781623.