A new vaccine for COVID-19 trialled by NHS staff has been given the go-ahead for use – leading to praise for the team involved.
The Novavax vaccine, trialled by staff from three local health trusts, was given official approval today by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Authority.
The research alliance consisting of South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, North Tees and Hartlepool and County Durham and Darlington have all contributed to this research and have thanked every member of the community who volunteered to take part.
It recruited over 15,000 participants from 35 research UK sites – including more than 500 from the Durham Tees Valley area.
Staff from three trusts worked together seamlessly
Jane Greenaway, associate director, said: “We are delighted to finally be able to celebrate this fantastic achievement.
“The success of the trial has been down to two things – the staff involved and all of the participants.
“Staff from three individual trusts have collaborated and worked together seamlessly. Without this fantastic alliance already in place, we simply would not have been able to host such a high profile trial from Teesside, Durham and Darlington.
“And without all of our volunteers, we couldn’t have played the significant role we have. Every volunteer has wanted to play their part in helping find an effective vaccine and they have waited patiently for this to happen, following delays in the approval process.
“Without the contribution of volunteers to research trials like this, we wouldn’t be able to test treatments and find the positive answers we need.”
‘The contribution of South Tees research staff was pivotal’
David Chadwick, clinical director for infectious diseases at South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, said: “As principal investigator for the Novavax trial in the region I’m really pleased we’ve finally got MHRA approval for this vaccine, which will become the fifth authorised vaccine in the UK.
“The contribution of South Tees research staff was pivotal in the success of this trial and I would like the thank them along with all the other staff and participants who made it possible.”
It’s not only shown how powerful our research alliance is in the region but the power each and every person has who chooses to take part in a research trial.”
Kerry Colling, project manager