Norfolk residents involved in Novavax clinical trials
A clinical trial's been held in Norfolk for new Covid vaccine.
Last updated 29th Jan 2021
The Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital is among those who've lead clinical trials for the new Novavax vaccine.
It's been announced by Novavax today (Friday 29th January) that their Phase 3 trial in the UK has been 89.3% effective.
It was launched at the NNUH last year with the support of the National Institute for Health Research.
More than 500 people from the local NHS and community took part, including the Chief Executive of the hospital.
It was all held at the NNUH-run Clinical Research Facility at the Quadram Institute.
Fifteen thousand people were involved in trials nationally.
It looked at the efficacy of the vaccine during a period when transmission was high in the UK, and the new variant was in circulation.
Jenny Longmore, Director of Research Operations at NNUH, said: “The research team pulled out all the stops and are really proud to be involved this trial, which continues until November this year with routine follow-up appointments for those who have taken part in the study.”
“It is fantastic news for everyone involved in the study that the vaccine efficacy of this Phase 3 trial is so high and we are extremely grateful to everyone who volunteered to take part in this extremely important research.”
Prof Jeremy Turner, local principal investigator said: “On behalf of my co-principal investigator Dr Chris Jeanes and everyone in the team we are pleased to see such a positive result and would like to express our sincerest gratitude to all the participants who so willingly volunteered for this study and to the amazing research team at the NNUH.
"Well done everyone!”
The whole of NNUH’s research department – up to 50 staff, including research nurses, practitioners and administrators – were diverted to work on Covid-19 studies and some are now supporting colleagues on the Covid wards.
Sam Higginson, NNUH Chief Executive, who was one of the 500 to take part in the vaccine trial, said: “This is great news and fantastic that our research team has been part of this.
"I had no hesitation in putting my name forward to take part in this Phase 3 trial and it is great to hear that so many staff and colleagues from Norwich Research Park put themselves forward.”