Novavax vaccine trial participants feeling "left behind"
Those from the North East who took part in the trial are struggling to get NHS confirmation of being double vaccinated - meaning they can't benefit from restriction exemptions.
Last updated 15th Jul 2021
Hundreds of people from the North East who took part in a Covid vaccine trial say they feel "left behind".
Over 400 people were given the Novavax vaccine as part of the trial, but the jag is not is not yet available in the UK.
This is because, despite showing healthy efficacy rates, the developer needs to prove the consistency of it's manufacturing process in order to be approved.
This means that those who received both jabs of Novavax are currently not being provided with NHS confirmation of their double dose status - and they can't get a different vaccine either.
Without the certification, that means participants won't receive the same benefits as other double jagged people.
That includes being able to return from amber list countries without quarantining, and avoiding self isolation after coming into close contact with someone who tested positive for Covid, as long as you test negative yourself.
North East MSP Douglas Lumsden was one of those who took part, he's campaigning to have the Scottish Government recognise he and fellow participants as double jagged.
He told Northsound:
"As the country opens up it seems those who took part in the Novavax vaccine trial are being completely left behind.
"We are in a situation where we can't get proof we've been vaccinated.
"There was over 400 hundred people who took part in the vaccine trial in the North East, and it just seems like we are now being ignored."
Those who took part in the trial are being given certificates of being vaccinated by Novavax themselves, but they are unable to obtain official NHS confirmation.
In England, some participants are beginning to have their double dose status reflected on the NHS app, but that's not a system used in Scotland - and even if it was, some trialists are still waiting.
A Novavax spokesperson told us:
"We are grateful for participation in our clinical trial – volunteers have helped to create a safer future for all. During this unprecedented global pandemic, clinical trial participants are the reason some countries, including the UK, are able to start to re-open. And we firmly believe that clinical trial participants should not be disadvantaged in any way.
"We are working with urgency to finish the work required for our regulatory filing with MHRA and EMA. This includes clinical data released earlier this year as well as manufacturing data. Completing this work is our number one priority."
They firm say they are supporting efforts to help participants return to post-pandemic life, and say they are working with the relevant bodies.
Their statement continues:
"As noted in an open letter from Deputy Chief Medical Officer of the UK Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC), the NHS App vaccine certificate is expected to show a ‘green tick’ by the end of July for all UK trial participants, as if they have been fully vaccinated under the standard NHS program.
" The letter from Professor Van-Tam stated that while individual countries control their own policies, the UK government will ‘work hard to influence this situation internationally.’ Additional information can be found on NIHR’s ‘Be Part of Research’ website available under Vaccine Passports/Certification and Travel.”
Health Secretary Humza Yousaf has told Northsound News it's "unfair" that those who took part in the trial aren't being granted the same right as other double vaxxed people.
He told us:
"That's why the CMO is about to write a letter, if he's not already written it, that will hopefully provide anybody that needs it with comfort that those on vaccination trials should be regarded as double vaccinated.
"Just as it would be if they weren't on a trial, but getting their vaccine normally, so we are dealing with that issue as we speak, and it should be resolved in the coming days."