Hartlepool hospital Covid-19 vaccine trial surpasses 15,000 volunteers

NHS staff from three trusts in the North East have been part of a joint team running the Novavax trial at the University Hospital of Hartlepool announced in September.

Over the last few weeks the team have finished the process of taking on volunteers for the study signing up more than 500 people.

And over the last two months the trial has reached its national recruitment target of more than 15,000 participants.

The research team is made up of staff from North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust, South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust.

They have thanked NHS support staff who have helped after exceeding their recruitment target.

Research lead Kerry Colling said: “We are delighted with the response we have had from our community – so many people have come forward and wanted to play their part to help the NHS in its fight against COVID-19.

“I’d really like to thank not only all staff involved in the trial here, but also the support staff who have done so much to help us.

“Domestics, information technology, estates, porters, supplies and finance, as well as so many more.

“People across Hartlepool hospital and the wider organisation couldn’t have been more helpful.

“Whatever we have needed, they have been so quick to help.”

The trial has been the first final Phase 3 study in the world of the Novavax vaccine being developed by an American biotechnology company.

Its effectiveness will be tested on much more people than previously including those from a variety age groups and backgrounds.

If successful, 60 million doses of the vaccine ordered by the Government will be made in Billingham at FUJIFILM Diosynth Biotechnologies’s facilities.

Interim data from the trial is expected as early as the first quarter of 2021.

It comes as another vaccine made by Pfizer is due to be rolled out to priority groups after being approved by the government.

People aged 80 and over, care home workers and NHS staff at higher risk will be first to receive the jab from Tuesday, December 8.

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