Nearly 1,400 people have signed up to the coronavirus vaccine trial – forcing local NHS trusts to increase capacity.
Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust originally said that there was room for 2,250 people and said that it could increase capacity to 6,000.
So far, more than 6,600 people have signed up to the trial across Leeds, Harrogate and York.
The biggest uptake has been in Leeds where close to 4,000 people have signed up. It is the highest uptake for local authorities in the UK.
Dr Jacqueline Andrews, the executive medical director at Harrogate NHS FT, said:
“I would like to say a huge thank you to everyone who has signed up to the campaign so far. So many people from the Harrogate district have signed up already. We really appreciate your support.”
Dr Phil Wood, Chief Medical Officer at Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust added:
“An effective vaccine against the coronavirus is key. It’s important for large-scale vaccine studies that we get as many people as possible from our community to sign up to take part.”
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The trusts are considering different locations throughout Leeds, Harrogate, and York for the trial. They are keen to use spaces like sports halls, away from hospitals.
Around 70 staff will spend three days in each location, aiming to give 250 vaccines with each person having a 90-minute consultation. The trial will start at the end of September.
To register interest in the vaccine trial visit the NHS vaccine research website by clicking or tapping here.
How does a vaccine study work?
The NHS may give those who have signed up for the trial a vaccine or a placebo. Either way, participants will need to visit the research site a few times over the next six to 12 months.
At each of those visits, the staff will talk about the research study, take blood tests and answer any questions.
Between visits, participants will need to tell staff about any symptoms and may need to take a throat or nose swab every week while keeping a diary.
