Hampshire volunteers to take part in first UK Covid-19 vaccine trials

The vaccine, which has been developed by clinical teams at the University of Oxford, is set to be tested in series of trials at the University Hospital Southampton and the city’s university.

The study, which will look into the potential success of the vaccine, will involve up to 510 healthy volunteers between 18 and 55 with around 187 participants to be recruited from Southampton.

The current vaccine will combine a weakened version of the common cold which has been combined with genes that make proteins from the Covid-19 virus. The particular strain of common cold virus has been taken from chimpanzees and genetically modified so that it is impossible for it to grow in humans.

Professor Saul Faust, director of the National Institute for Health Research at Southampton Clinical Research Facility, said ‘There are not currently any licensed vaccines or specific treatments for Covid-19 but vaccines are the most effective way of controlling outbreaks and the international community has stepped up efforts towards developing one.

‘This vaccine aims to turn the virus’ most potent weapon, its spikes, against it – raising antibodies that stick to them allowing the immune system to lock onto and destroy the virus.’

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Researchers hope the trials will provide a breakthrough in the search to provide protection against the disease.

Professor Faust added: ‘We are really pleased to be supporting our colleagues in Oxford by collaborating on this extremely important study, which is one of only four vaccine trials underway worldwide and could pave the way for a vaccine to be delivered later this year.

‘This study will enable us to assess if healthy people can be protected from Covid-19 with this new vaccine and it will also give us valuable information on its safety and ability to generate good immune responses against the virus.’

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), more than 70 Covid-19 vaccines are in development worldwide but the UK now joins the United States and China in beginning human trials.

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