I have signed up as a volunteer for the COVID vaccine trials and I am appealing to constituents to consider doing the same. UK based scientific research is leading the world in finding a protection against coronavirus in particular through the development of a vaccine at Oxford University. At present this is in Phase III of its trial and reports have indicated that it is producing the right sort of immune response.
So far, approximately 270,000 people across the UK have signed up to participate in vital Covid-19 vaccine studies. However, thousands more are needed. People from vulnerable groups, such as those with chronic diseases and over 65s and those from Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds and are under-represented in the trials which are currently under way.
Anyone signing up to do this will play a vital role in ensuring that a potential vaccine works for all. It is the one single development that could bring an end to the current health crisis and mean our lives can start to return to normal. A vaccine protection would train people's immune systems to fight the virus so they do not become sick. This would allow lockdowns to be lifted more safely, and social distancing to be relaxed and in turn would be a massive boost for business, protect jobs and enable those who have been shielding to go about their lives with confidence.
The UK Government is working with scientists and researchers to ensure that, in the event a vaccine is shown to be effective, members of the public are able to access vaccinations as soon as possible, with £47 million of Government funding initially committed to trials, and a further £84 million announced in May.
Anyone living in the UK can register to take part in the trials. Registering gives permission for researchers to contact volunteers if they think they are a good fit. Once volunteers sign up, they can withdraw at any time. The process takes about 5 minutes to complete and can be done online at: https://www.nhs.uk/sign-up-to-be-contacted-for-research.
