COVID-19 vaccine variant study opens in Portsmouth

Portsmouth residents will take part in a new research study looking at a COVID-19 vaccine which has been adapted to protect against new variants.

The study explores how well an Oxford/AstraZeneca variant vaccine protects against the Beta COVID-19 variant, first found in South Africa.

Researchers will evaluate the immune response caused by the Oxford/AstraZeneca variant vaccine, which has ten minor genetic changes to the spike protein based on the Beta COVID-19 variant.

Around 70 local volunteers will take part in the study, which is running in the Portsmouth Research Hub at the John Pounds Centre in Portsea. In total, approximately 2,475 volunteers will be recruited to the study globally.

The study is being led by the University of Oxford in partnership with AstraZeneca, and is supported by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR).

The Oxford/AstraZeneca Beta variant study is the second to be delivered at the Portsmouth Research Hub, which was set up in March this year to support COVID-19 vaccine research.

Since then, Portsmouth residents have also supported the COV-Boost study, which is looking at different COVID-19 vaccines given as a third ‘booster’ dose. The first phase of the COV-Boost study is now fully recruited, with initial results expected in September 2021.

Those interested in finding out more about COVID-19 vaccine research and future opportunities to take part locally can register their interest by visiting nhs.uk/researchcontact.

Professor Sir Andrew J Pollard, Chief Investigator and Director of the Oxford Vaccine Group at the University of Oxford, said:

“Testing booster doses of existing vaccines and new variant vaccines is important to ensure we are best prepared to stay ahead of the coronavirus pandemic, should their use be needed.”

Dr Patrick Moore, Dorset GP and the local investigator for the trial, said:

"While the hugely successful NHS rollout of approved vaccines progresses at pace, it is important that we continue our COVID-19 vaccine research and gather vital evidence that will help ensure we are in a strong position to respond to variants of concern if needed in the future.

“We have been overwhelmed by the response from the public, who continue to step forward to support our research and play a key part in tackling the pandemic. We would like to thank them for their contributions to this important research.”

Professor Andrew Ustianowski, NIHR Clinical Lead for COVID-19 Vaccination Programme and Joint National Infection Specialty Lead, said:

"Throughout the pandemic the UK has demonstrated its expertise in clinical vaccine research, consistently supported by the fantastic efforts of tens of thousands of study participants.

"The latest booster study from Oxford/AstraZeneca is just one of the latest, world-leading steps in our battle to tackle the virus and one of the variants of concern.”

Initial data from the trial is expected later this year. Once available, data will be submitted to regulators for assessment as a next-generation booster vaccine and through an expedited regulatory pathway.