A VOLUNTEER who took part in a research study into a Covid vaccine has said she has no regrets about getting involved - despite the length of time it has taken to submit it for approval. 

There has been frustration among some people who took part in the Novavax study because of the lengthy wait for the vaccine being submitted for approval.

The vaccine, which will manufactured at Fujifilm in Billingham, was submitted last week for approval in the UK, based on data from 15,000 study participants.

Read more: Those who took part in North East Novavax Covid trial hit out after delays

Thanking hospital staff in Hartlepool, where she was a participant, Carol Ryan said: "I have received all the information on the trails and been kept up to date with the progress, I was given the opportunity to leave when the Pfizer and AstraZeneca were approved.

Read more: Novavax vaccine: Billingham jab submitted for approval

"But I said that I was going to stay with the Novavax trial – it did not make sense to leave halfway through, I had started it so I will finish it.

“I know that some of the participants were getting frustrated with the progress of the vaccine being approved, I am sure that all the research team were as frustrated too. For whatever reason that the approval has not been given yet, I don’t regret taking part in the trial.

“I would like to say a big thank you to all the staff that have been at Hartlepool hospital dealing with all the participants, answering questions when they could."

“Making sure we were all okay and checking on us, I know you all have probably been working on the wards at the hospitals as well as helping with the trial participants. Thank you for all research staff from day one, you are the backbone against this fight with Covid. Thank you, thank you.”

The Hartlepool centre is run as part of a joint collaboration between the North Tees and Hartlepool, South Tees Hospitals and Durham and Darlington NHS health trusts.

The firm behind the Novavax vaccine said it anticipates a “positive decision” following the completion of its rolling regulatory submission to the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency.

According to results of a phase three trial in the UK, announced in March, the jab offers 100 per cent protection against severe disease, including all hospital admission and death.

Earlier this month, it was announced that thousands of people who took part in the trial will be able to have two further doses of another vaccine to enable them to travel abroad.

Volunteers have told The Northern Echo they had fears about being left in limbo and unable to travel abroad indefinitely after delays in the process.

The fact the jab has not yet been approved means thousands of people have been unable to travel because other countries do not recognise Novavax as a valid Covid vaccine.

After taking advice from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI), the Department of Health said those in England who took part in the UK-based Novavax trial should be offered two doses of the Pfizer jab, with eight weeks between the doses.

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