Woman from Cornwall encourages more people to take part in COVID-19 vaccine research

Forty-four-year-old Dottie, from Redruth, has shared her experience of taking part in a COVID-19 vaccine study in the hope more people will do the same.

Dottie, who enjoys cycling and surfing, is one of the 267 volunteers who took part in a leading phase three COVID-19 vaccine study at Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust at the end of last year. The study, which recruited 15,000 participants, was testing the safety and effectiveness of a promising new vaccine, developed by US biotechnology company Novavax, across a broad spectrum of people, including those from a variety of age groups and backgrounds. It was supported locally by the NIHR Clinical Research Network South West Peninsula.

“When I heard that my local hospital was running a vaccine clinical trial I thought it was an amazing opportunity,” she said.

“I remember hearing about COVID-19 in China. I didn’t ever think it would affect us, in England, in the way that it has. But then when we started to see first-hand what was happening I think the scariest part was just how unpredictable the virus was in terms of how it could affect you. I know people who got COVID-19 who were young, fit and healthy and it took them a long time to recover. It was really awful seeing how people were affected by it, and the fact some people just had no symptoms so it was all really quite scary.

“The opportunity to take part in a vaccine clinical trial really appealed to me because it gave me the chance to actually be able to help in some small way. I felt like I contributed a little bit and it made me feel like I was doing something good and something worthwhile that could help people around the world.

“If people like me, just regular people, don’t come forward and offer to take part in these clinical trials how will the scientists ever know if something works or not? I think research is so important.”

Dottie has since learned she received the actual vaccine, rather than a placebo, when she took part in the study.

“Finding out I’ve had the real vaccine was an added bonus,” she said. “I’d like to thank the study team who were so helpful, friendly and knowledgeable. They made me feel really safe. I’d also like to thank my bosses and my colleagues who were also so supportive.

“I’m proud of myself for taking part  because I know, that even if it is a tiny little way, somehow that has added up to  one big amazing thing – a vaccine that works and is now helping to protect people around the world.

“I am very enthusiastic about research. I just felt like it was something I could do to play my part in all of this.  I would definitely take part in another research study and I would encourage anyone else to do the same if they can. Imagine how amazing it would be if everyone got involved!”

How you can support vaccine research

If you’re interested in finding out more or in taking part in vaccine studies such as this one you can sign up to the NHS Vaccine Research Registry at www.nhs.uk/researchcontact.