Supporting Research at home and at work - Emily's story

Emily and Hannah tell their research story

As a Service Lead for the National Institute for Health and Care Research Delivery Network, Emily Pickering is more aware than most of the importance of research. So when she saw the HARMONIE trial of a vaccine for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) advertised on social media she was keen to step up.

She signed up to take part on behalf of her daughter Hannah, who was just a year old at the time.

Emily, who lives in Stourbridge said: "RSV is such a concerning condition and as participant experience in research is part of my role at work, it seemed like an ideal opportunity to gain an insight, at the same time as gaining added protection for Hannah.

"Her older brother brings home a lot of bugs but even this year, which is a high RSV season, Hannah has been fine. I put that down to the vaccine.

"It's reassuring to know that other families will benefit from the vaccine being rolled out and also a great feeling to know that we played a part."

Emily would be keen to take part in other studies - and in fact has participated in a Covid-19 trial previously.

"I would absolutely recommend anyone to sign up for research. I wanted to tell our story as the more people hear about positive experiences of normal people taking part, the more studies will have access to potential participants."

The UK is the first country in the world to offer a national vaccination programme that uses the same vaccine to protect both infants and older adults from RSV.

Anyone interested in finding studies to take part in, can register at www.bepartofresearch.nihr.ac.uk.

ENDS

For further information contact: Claire Hall, Communications Lead on 07775 800227 or email claireanne.hall@nihr.ac.uk