novavax vaccine trial - anyone else?

[Frazzled2207]

Have just had the call and am going tomorrow. Very excited. Anyone else doing this?

That’s interesting. The nurse who put mine in said that nobody on the ground knows what is being injected because knowing can cause them to act differently. She said the only people who know are the ones running the data at HQ.

I was definitely told the doctors who gave the actual injection knew who was getting what but no none else did and the doctor who went through all my questions and tests had to leave the room before the vaccine/placebo doctor could come in.

I think my syringe was either clear or covered by a sticky, I didn’t pay that much attention but I’m sure I’d remember If it was green. I’m certain I had the placebo, I’ve had no side effects whatsoever.

I have just asked my husband and he said both vaccines have been covered by a label. So no way of seeing what was in the syringe.

I was told that nobody in the room knew which was which but 2 people in a room next door were allocating one or the other according to a special code. They then gave the “vaccine” to a “runner” who brought it to the nurse who then injected it.

I was told that the nurse injecting would not know what I was getting, they were allocated by random selection and prepared by someone I didn't see. I think mine was green.

This is like trying to guess the sex of the baby when you're pregnant! .

Frazzled, that's what I was told too/ that the only people who knew what was in the syringe were the prescribing team and the data input people, and that the consultant and nurse actually dealing with me were blinded just like me. However, unless all of our syringes had a green coloured liquid in them, they're going to know at least who is in group A and who is in group B (even if they don't know whether A or B is the vaccine.)
I'll try to get an even better look when I'm back next week. (Which is probably quite naughty and defies the purpose somewhat of the Blinding, but it's just human nature to wonder, isn't it?)

Just back from my first appointment. I was told by a couple of Doctors that it was a double blind study and so no one knew what each participant had been assigned, vaccine or placebo. Didn't look to see what was in the syringe. I would be very surprised if the two liquids were different colours though. Would have thought that would go against study principles.

Just before I arrived home, I realised that I didn't get given a ruler/thermometer pack. Will have to remember to ask next time.

And no refreshments at all. Apart from being offered some water when I had to take a pregnancy test!

loving all this speculation!
Mine was definitely clear not green but have my second appointment tomorrow so will see what colour the second is!!

very interesting people's experience is different. The nurse who was dealing with me last time is a research nurse and literally her job is to work on stuff like this and clinical trials. But the vast majority of stuff she does is not anything like as high profile or at such a big scale.
We were all in a big room - probably about 60 people around which isn't great really with the general situation! Doors were open though for ventilation and everyone was strict about masks.

Yes, I had the Head Research Nurse too. He said that it had been manic with them seeing 150 people a week. They have been having everyone through in a constant stream rather than just the am and pm slot they would normally do.
We were in 4 bed bays. I think 3 bays from what I saw.

Is there anything i need to take for my 2nd appointment tomorrow? Have my ID card ready that’s all

So i got told that the only person who would know which i was getting, was the nurse that entered the room. She said though sometimes she forgets which she has made by the time she sees the volunteer, especially if they're not ready exactly on time.

I looked away when she did it so i did not see any labels. My second appt is on Thursday.

@MrsHamlet i found out today that Sainsburys wont do any more bookings online. So you need to ask in the actual pharmacy. The pharmacist said theyre expecting supplies next week.

Thank you @Torvean32. It'll have to wait now until after my medical in case I do get accepted on the trial.
Fingers crossed I don't catch anything grim in school before then

Once you're on the trial you have to wait 1 week after the second injection before you can get the flu jab.
So you get first injection, 3 weeks later the 2nd injection, then 1 week later the flu vaccine if you want it.

I've no idea why supplies have been low , when it was obvious that uptake would be higher.

There are chemists that say walk in and check availability. I have no car and I don't fancy wandering on the off chance that they have vaccines in stock.

Good luck with your medical. Be sure to have a drink before hand so you can do the pregnancy test... I struggled

There's lots of knowledgable ppl here ( not me ) that can help you out with any questions).

@Frazzled2207

Is there anything i need to take for my 2nd appointment tomorrow? Have my ID card ready that’s all

No, just yourself and a mask. No pregnancy test again!

Thanks, Torvean.
I'm hoping I do get in. I have some colleagues who are vulnerable and this feels like something I can do - I have no control over anything else

Going next week for screening and hopefully vaccine 1. Made the mistake of mentioning it to work.... wasn't expecting to get a bollocking from them for doing this

What? Why?

Apparently they seem to think I should have asked their permission, they need to do a risk assessment at the very least and it will impact on my job...
Er no it won't, I only bloody told them because I need to change my working day next week (I work flexi) Oh and I work from home anyway. Wish I hadn't been so honest but seriously???

And my job.... a librarian. Hardly front line stuff

@andadietcoke
Thank you. They didn't do a preg test on me last time. Think they forgot.

@EverybodyKeepCool
That is insane. Thankfully I am self employed so no bother but as long as i could do it outside work time it would not have occured to me to mention to employer don't think.
Perhaps tell them that if they didn't get volunteers to do this sort of thing there would be no chance of a vaccine.
I'm sure the 'risk assessment' thing will be very short lived. There is no risk to assess surely.

I cant believe your employers are being like tgat @EverybodyKeepCool. There's no reason for a risk assessment to take place.
33% of ppl taking part work in health and social care, so they have direct contact with thr vulnerable and it must have been assessed as safe.

If you're appointments are outside work then it's none of their beeswax.

Well done on signing up. I'd tell the study ppl what your work said, so they can advise you what you tell your work.
I hope your appt goes well. You're doing a great thing.

I didn’t have a ticking off from my work for joining the trial, but I was told I couldn’t specify it as a medical appointment (where you can generally take a couple of hours off during the working day to get sorted), but instead they’d generously let me book annual leave to cover the time! I was gobsmacked, if this isn’t a suitable medical appointment, during a global pandemic, then what on earth is??