At the Downing Street press briefing on Wednesday, the Health Secretary announced the launch of a nationwide study to explore whether giving a third dose “booster” shot of coronavirus vaccines would be safe and effective in extending immune protection against COVID-19. The trial aims to recruit nearly 3,000 participants and it will look at seven different COVID-19 vaccines. Some of the vaccines are already approved by regulators and are already in use, but the trial will also examine other vaccines that are still in development.
Health and Social Care Secretary Matt Hancock said: “The UK vaccination programme has been a phenomenal national effort, with seven in 10 UK adults now having had their first Covid-19 jab.
“It is vital that we continue to support the world-renowned British research sector that has contributed to its success.
“We will do everything we can to future-proof this country from pandemics and other threats to our health security, and the data from this world-first clinical trial will help shape the plans for our booster programme later this year.
“I urge everyone who has had both doses of a Covid-19 vaccine, and is eligible, to sign up for this study and play a part in protecting the most vulnerable people in this country and around the world for months and years to come.”
Participants can expect to have blood tests to measure their immune response to the third shot at day 28, 84, 308 and 365 of the study.
Initial findings from the study are expected to be revealed in September, with the results crucial to any future booster vaccination programme in the autumn months.
People can sign up to volunteer for the clinical trial HERE.
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