Thousands sign up for vaccine trial programme in Leeds - more than anywhere else in the UK

Health chiefs have said the scale of uptake has "put the city on the map" for its willingness to help find a vaccine in the battle to beat Covid-19.

The city has consistently topped the table for the most volunteers of any local authority in the UK since the NHS Covid-19 Vaccine Registry was launched in July, allowing people to register their interest online in taking part in the Covid-19 vaccine studies.

Across the UK, a total of 250,000 people have signed up, including over 23,000 from the Yorkshire and Humber region.

In June, Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust (LTHT) launched a city-wide COVID-19 Vaccine Trial Delivery Team, working alongside various partners across the health sector to put a plan to recruit large numbers of participants, in Leeds, Harrogate and York.

Speaking about this latest recruitment milestone, Professor Chris Twelves, director of the Leeds Clinical Research Facility at LTHT said: “The people of Leeds have certainly put the city on the map nationally for its engagement in health research, by registering in such numbers on the vaccine registry.

“I would like to thank all of those who have signed up so far and encourage more people to do so.

“There will be an update in the coming weeks for people who have signed up in the Leeds region to provide them with more details about the studies that will be coming to the city and how to take part.”

Coun Judith Blake, leader of Leeds City Council and chair of the Leeds Outbreak Control Board, said: “It is extremely positive news that 5,000 people have now signed up for vaccine research in Leeds.

“If we are to see long-lasting positive change in the fight against coronavirus across the world, the development of a vaccine is essential.

"These vaccine research trials are therefore extremely important, and I would anyone interested in registering to do so as soon as possible.”

To find out more about COVID-19 Vaccines and to register visit www.nhs.uk/researchcontact.

Factfile:

Vaccines are tested in stages to ensure they are safe and effective.

Volunteers who are contacted to take part in trials will be given information about what stage a particular vaccine is at and details of how it has already been tested.

They will be able to consider this when deciding to take part and people can withdraw from the registry at any point.

Researchers are looking for people from all backgrounds, ages and parts of the UK, including both people with or without existing health conditions to make sure that any vaccines developed will work for everyone.

Research has found that certain groups of people are more likely to catch the virus or suffer severe illness as a result, so those who are most likely to benefit from vaccines are particularly invited to sign up. These include over the 65s, frontline workers and those from the black, Asian and ethnic minority communities.

The aim is to get as many people as possible signed up by October.

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Thank you

Laura Collins