A clinical trial for a COVID-19 vaccine is aiming to recruit around 350 volunteers from Northern Ireland.
Northern Ireland had been chosen as one of the regions to take part in this UK trial, Health Minister Robin Swann has just confirmed.
Almost 5,000 people have signed up already, however more people are required for the trial which is due to start up by the end of this week.
The Minister said the importance of finding a vaccine to help in the battle against this virus cannot be overstated.
“Despite the magnificent efforts of our health service and the amazing response of society as a whole we remain on a knife edge as we seek to protect ourselves and our loved ones.
“As we continue to put in place all possible measures there’s never been a more important time for health research studies into the development of a COVID-19 vaccine. Currently there are over 30 vaccine trials taking place around the world in an effort to discover as soon as possible which will be safe and effective. It is vital that Northern Ireland joins this important world-wide effort,” he said.
He said almost 5000 people who are willing to be approached to take part in a trial have signed up to the Vaccine Registry and he is encouraging more people here to join
The first participants will be recruited here at the start of October.
Dr Janice Bailie, Assistant Director of HSC R&D Division of the Public Health Agency, added: “COVID-19 vaccine trials are essential to identify which vaccines are both safe and effective, so that wide scale vaccination can start as soon as possible.
“There are different types of vaccines, and we don’t know which one will work best to protect people from catching COVID-19. It might be that different vaccines are needed for different groups of people, and it’s only through vaccine trials we will find this out.”
Up to 350 participants in Northern Ireland will be recruited from the UK Vaccine Registry, which was launched in July. Potential participants will be invited to undergo an assessment to determine whether they are eligible for the trial.
The study aims to recruit adults from all parts of society, especially those who are more likely to benefit from a vaccine including those over 65 year old, those from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic backgrounds (BAME), and those who have face to face contact with the public at work e.g. healthcare workers, delivery personnel, transport workers, and those in retail.
If you are from one of these groups, and interested in participating in the Northern Ireland trial you can sign up at: www.nhs.uk/researchcontac.