Oxford Vaccine Trials

[Defenbaker]

The Oxford vaccine is doing Phase 3 trials in a hospital a few miles away from me, and I'm considering volunteering to take part. I've submitted an online application bit I'm a bit nervous about it all, and am hoping to receive a few pointers from others who have already signed up for this trial. There is another thread running about the N vaccine trials, but I couldn't see one about the Oxford one, so have started a new thread.

On the information there is an ambiguous sentence about allergies and paracetamol. They seem to imply that anyone with any allergies cannot take part, but when I completed the online application they only asked about any past severe allergic reactions, or allergic reaction to paracetamol. I have some allergies (cats, grass pollen, some perfumes) but have never had a reaction severe enough to be hospitalised - so do you think they will want me on the trial or am I too much of a risk?

On the other thread people mention that the trial might be unblinded at the point where vaccines start to be rolled out, so that if people have only received the placebo dose they will be informed, so they will be able to receive any vaccine on offer, when it is available to their age group. Also, there was mention that trial participants who receive the placebo will be given priority for the real vaccine once rolled out to their age group, by way of a thank you for taking part. I'm 59 and keen to have the vaccine, so I'm hoping the Oxford trial might also offer this benefit.

Earlier trial groups were paid for their time and expenses, but I would be in Group 9, which does not offer any cash. That's fine with me, as I'm out of work since being made redundant, but parking at the hospital is expensive and I would need to attend 6 to 8 appointments, so I'm wondering if they might cover my parking charges.

I'm slightly anxious about the whole thing - hospitals are germ ridden places at the best of times and I'm a bit of a germophobic, plus traffic and parking in/around the hospital is a bit of a nightmare. Part of me feels I'm mad to consider taking part - potential aggro and anxiety about catching the virus each time I visit the hospital - but part of me really wants to help.

I'd be grateful for any feedback, especially from those with inside knowledge/experience of the Oxford vaccine trials.

[Butterfly44]

Not had the vaccine personally. Pretty sure parking expenses will be covered. Many have been vaccinated so far; only the research team can decide eligibility. Yes if you were on placebo when unblinded under the mass vaccination program you could have the vaccine.

[KihoBebiluPute]

I know someone who is part of an earlier phase of the oxford vaccine trial who has quite severe hay fever allergies and that didn't stop them from participating.

I suggest the best plan is to complete the form and see what happens. They will be very clear about what is what at each stage and you can withdraw at any time so you will have an opportunity to ask your question about refunds of expenses and about what happens if you are assigned to the placebo group when the vaccine is rolled out. If you don't like the answers you can opt out.

The more pertinent question is what happens if someone on the oxford vaccine trial has the opportunity to get a different vaccine eg the Pfizer one before the trial is completed. Unblinding the trial or giving the placebo group a vaccine would invalidate the whole trial and waste a huge amount of money and research effort. But these studies need volunteers.

[Torvean32]

@KihoBebiluPute

I know someone who is part of an earlier phase of the oxford vaccine trial who has quite severe hay fever allergies and that didn't stop them from participating.

I suggest the best plan is to complete the form and see what happens. They will be very clear about what is what at each stage and you can withdraw at any time so you will have an opportunity to ask your question about refunds of expenses and about what happens if you are assigned to the placebo group when the vaccine is rolled out. If you don't like the answers you can opt out.

The more pertinent question is what happens if someone on the oxford vaccine trial has the opportunity to get a different vaccine eg the Pfizer one before the trial is completed. Unblinding the trial or giving the placebo group a vaccine would invalidate the whole trial and waste a huge amount of money and research effort. But these studies need volunteers.

If it becomes your "turn" to receive the vaccine then you contact the study and ask. At that point you would be told what you received..

Im currently in an end stage trial of another vaccine not Oxford, Modina of Pfizer. It wont harm the study.