India variant: Expert discusses vaccines that are 'effective'
When you subscribe we will use the information you provide to send you these newsletters. Sometimes they’ll include recommendations for other related newsletters or services we offer. Our Privacy Notice explains more about how we use your data, and your rights. You can unsubscribe at any time.
Three COVID-19 vaccines have been approved for rollout in the UK: Oxford/AstraZeneca, Pfizer/BioNTech and Moderna. Other Covid vaccines are awaiting approval. Several people in the UK have taken part in clinical trials for vaccines awaiting approval, such as Novavax and Janssen.
Should you get a Covid vaccine if you took part in a clinical trial?
Several people will have received two vaccine doses while taking part in a COVID-19 vaccine trial.
However, many will have received a placebo vaccine instead of a live vaccine during the trials as well.
The National Institute for Health Research website HERE explains when people are invited to a vaccine appointment by the NHS, they should contact the research team behind their trial.
The research team can then advise participants if they received a vaccine or a placebo.
The guidance explains: “If you had an active vaccine, the research team will advise you if you still need to have the approved vaccine, taking into account the latest data on the trial vaccine’s effectiveness.
“If you had a placebo, you will be advised to have the approved vaccine.”
Express.co.uk contacted the Department of Health and Social Care for more information, and the department referred to guidance set out by NHS England.
The guidance also sets out that trial investigators should provide participants with more information on whether they need to be vaccinated under the UK vaccination programme.
The guidance states: “Individuals who are participating in a clinical trial of COVID-19 vaccines who present for vaccination should be referred back to the trial investigators.
“Eligible individuals who are enrolled in vaccine trials should then be provided with written advice on whether and when they can be safely vaccinated in the routine programme.”
DON’T MISS:
AstraZeneca Covid vaccine: Does it work against the Indian variant? [ANALYSIS]
How to book Covid vaccine: New slots released for people aged 38 to 39 [INSIGHT]
Pfizer Covid vaccine: Second jab more likely to cause side effects [REPORT]
Do you need another vaccine if you’ve received two trial vaccine doses?
If a trial participant finds out they received the vaccine candidate in the clinical trial, and not a placebo, the NIHR website currently states: “If you have received the full trial dose or doses, you will be advised NOT to have an approved vaccine (which is the current national guidance from the independent expert group).
“This is because the risks of receiving the approved vaccine after a full dose of trial vaccine are unknown and also because there is a good expectation that the active trial vaccine could protect you.
“It is very important to speak to the research team as only they can help you with the key information on the risks and benefits of your options.”
Will participants get proof of vaccination if they received a trial vaccine?
The National Institute of Health Research (NIHR) website explains people who took part in a vaccine trial should not be “at a disadvantage”.
With regards to the progression of a vaccine passport scheme, the website states: “If such a scheme were to progress, we will work with the Government, NHS and those organising the different studies to help ensure that people who’ve taken part in a trial are not at a disadvantage.
“This might mean organising letters from study teams to a participant’s GP, confirming that a full course of an effective vaccine had been given (when this evidence is available).
“We are also in discussions about whether this can be incorporated into digital NHS records and any digital passport developed.”
Express.co.uk contacted the Department of Health and Social Care and Novavax for comment on this issue and will update this page with more information as it comes.
Source: Read Full Article