Volunteers needed for mpox vaccine study in the East Midlands

Volunteers from across the East Midlands are being asked to join a study looking at the effectiveness of an investigational vaccine for mpox, previously known as monkeypox.

This important study, which is taking place at University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust and Lakeside Surgery in Corby, is supported by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) and sponsored by Moderna. The study, which is being led from Bristol, is the first study that Moderna is running entirely in the UK.

Since 2022, there has been an increased transmission of mpox identified in the UK. Common symptoms of the mpox virus include a rash, fever, chills, muscle aches, swollen lymph nodes, and sore throat. In the UK and Europe there is currently only one vaccine licensed for immunisation against mpox.

Martin Wiselka, Professor of Infectious Diseases and Principal Investigator at University Hospitals of Leicester said: "Since 2022, mpox has emerged as an important virus infection in the UK and worldwide. The virus causes an infection with fever and a widespread vesicular rash, which may look similar to a chicken-pox rash. Some people can become seriously ill, particularly if they are immunocompromised. Prior to 2022 around 1 to 2 cases per year were reported in the UK, mostly imported from Africa. The epidemiology of the disease changed in 2022 leading to an epidemic of infection in the UK and worldwide. Around 4,000 cases have been confirmed in the UK with approximately 100,000 cases worldwide since 2022. 

In order to meet the threat of this emerging infection, Moderna has developed an mRNA vaccine which is currently undergoing phase 1-2 trials in healthy volunteers (the MPower trial). Leicester is one of the centres recruiting for this important study and is looking for healthy participants aged between 18-50. Participants will receive two doses of the vaccine 28 days apart. Generous reimbursement for transport and inconvenience costs will be met by the study team"

Volunteers aged between 18 and 49 years old will be randomly selected to either receive 1 of 3 dose levels of the investigational mpox vaccine, or a placebo.

The study is taking place at multiple research sites across England.

Health and care research can only improve and save lives with the help of volunteers. To find out more about participating in this study, visit the trial website. For information on other studies you can be involved in, please visit the Be Part of Research website.