A VOLUNTEER says he feels honored to have received a “boost” coronavirus vaccine in a world-class trial.
Alan Street received the extra dose as part of a test at Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton.
Health experts fear that with the emergence of new variants of Covid-19 around the world, the most vulnerable will need a vaccine “supplement” before winter.
Variants of the disease have appeared in Kent, India, Brazil and South Africa since the onset of the crisis.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson is reportedly considering suspending plans for a “full reopening” scheduled for June 21 as cases of the Delta variant continue to rise.
Here in Brighton, the Cov-Boost study was launched as part of a £ 19million research plan by the Vaccines Taskforce, led by the University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust.
It is hoped that the results of the 100 volunteers who received the dose of the “complementary” vaccine will be available to scientists in September.
Alan Street, who works as the Resuscitation Services Manager at University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust, was the first person in the Trust to come forward and shoot in the arm.
He said: “I feel honored to have been the first person from this region to participate in this trial. “Everything went well and the team here is just great. I had my two shots a while ago so this is my third and I haven’t even felt it. I’m just proud to have participated.
Brighton Hospital worker Alan Street joined the trial study for the additional coronavirus ‘booster’ vaccine
“When I got a message on my phone about this study and asking if I wanted to know if I was eligible to participate, I signed up as soon as I could.
“If people have the chance to participate in a study that could help patients, staff, everyone feel safer, then why not get involved?
“If the people are fit, healthy and eligible, I would say, ‘come get the booster’. ”
Scientists are studying the effectiveness of current doses of the vaccine and for how long.
The trial will give scientists around the world and the experts behind Britain’s Covid-19 vaccination program a better idea of the impact of a booster dose of each vaccine on protecting people from the virus.
The first results will help inform the decisions of the Joint Committee on Immunization and Immunization (JCVI) on plans for a booster program starting in the fall of this year to ensure our most vulnerable receive protection before Winter.
The Brighton site is seeking to vaccinate 148 people. The study is open to people aged 30 and over, who received their first Covid-19 vaccine in December 2020 or January 2021, and who also received their second booster dose.
Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton
Professor Martin Llewelyn, Research Director of Sussex University Hospitals, said: “It is so exciting that the people of Sussex can be involved in this really important trial.
“A trial that will help shape the UK’s Covid-19 booster vaccination campaign and protect us all from any future waves.
“We have already recruited a lot of people, but we are open to involving more people. So if anyone is interested, please go to the COV-BOOST website and register your interest in volunteering in this fantastic study.
For more information visit: www.covboost.org.uk/home
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Source: www.theargus.co.uk
This notice was published: 2021-06-12 10:43:39
