novavax vaccine trial - anyone else?

[Frazzled2207]

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

[Torvean32]

That's a shame @MissConductUS. But well done on volunteering in the first place.
I live in an area of the UK where outbreaks are pretty low. I dont know anybody who has even had the virus. I didn't think they'd do the trial up here but I guess I got "lucky". I just want a vaccine so ppl can get their lives back, and society can refunction.

[GreenPlum]

@Frazzled2207

I took my sample with me last time for a pregnancy test and they didn't even ask for it!
I assumed that pregnancy would count you out but apparently not necessarily, they just need to know so that they can make a note.

This isn't the case. I was clearly told they couldn't give me the injection without a negative pregnancy test and warned me not to get pregnant for four months. The paperwork has a few paragraphs on the subject.

[andadietcoke]

I also took my little bottle of urine with me, and wasn't asked for it. No pregnancy tests here!

[Frazzled2207]

@GreenPlum
Fair point, just relaying what I was told.

Regarding doing them in low and high risk areas, they seem to be fairly randomly all over the uk according to the research nurse. But she explained that they will be able to tell how effective is from the subsequent blood tests, they’re definitely not counting on having lots of people in the trial (not) catching Covid.
Not sure exactly how it works but if they could prove that your immune system was exposed to it but somehow suppressed it (?) I imagine that would be ideal.

[GreenPlum]

I was thinking about the same thing while reading about the human challenge today. There's a study in the UK where they will expose the participant to the virus by spraying it up his nose. They want to find out how much of the virus is needed in order to become infected. Obviously it's under very tightly controlled conditions and they're super fit and healthy between the ages of 18 and 30.

I understand that during our Novavax study we won't be deliberately exposed to the virus and they will take blood and check our antibodies at all six visits.

Phase 1-2 results published suggest the immune response in people with the vaccine is six times greater than that of those who have contracted covid.

What I was wondering about though was early on back in June maybe, they said the virus wasn't prevalent enough in the UK and they were going to trial in Brazil. Maybe different vaccine trials are working in different ways. I know there are four distinct differences in vaccine type (but I'm not clever enough to understand them!).

Did any of you see Dr Sarah Jarvis on Jeremy Vine on 5 on Monday morning? She had her first shot with Novavax yesterday. She spoke very concisely about it.

[Torvean32]

I got told the same on pregnancy as @Frazzled2207. They couldn't go ahead without a negative pregnancy test as it's an unlicenced drug and they have no idea on potential side effects on a pre-term baby.

The Oxford vaccine is being tested in Brazil right now. A participant in the study died a week ago but it was released that he had the placebo. He died of Covid.

I wish i had seen that @GreenPlum. I'll need to have a look.

[Torvean32]

Sorry i meant i was told the same as @GreenPlum.

[mollypuss1]

I was definitely told I couldn’t have the vaccine if I was pregnant and was advised not to try and get pregnant during the study. I was also asked what contraceptive I use.

I was also told they take blood tests at every appointment except at the 2nd injection appointment.

[Torvean32]

Bonus if no bloods next time. 3 attempts plus a jab was a bit excessive

[GreenPlum]

How long did your covid test results take? I was told 48 hrs but it's been more than that now. I wonder if they're not treated as urgently because they're for the trial.

[Torvean32]

I got swabbed on Thursday they were posted Friday and i got an email on Monday. I'm in Scotland , i dont know if that makes any difference.

Just in case im being dumb, are any of you able to write on the "participant diary introduction " form?

[mollypuss1]

Took about 4 days to get my swab results.

I can’t write on the participant diary introduction but it never seems to leave my home screen, I’m just ignoring it.

[BG2015]

I did the test myself under supervision of the nurse and then registered it on the home test gov site.

I posted it this morning. Colleagues who've done home tests have found the turn around is much slower with posted tests! Drive through ones seem to be back in 24 hours.

My app doesn't allow me to add anything yet

[Torvean32]

Thanks @mollypuss1. My diary forms for the flu bit got added today. Then the questionnaire was reduced to just temperature check.
I turned the notification off today it was driving me mad.

[Vargas]

Hi all, I had a phone call today asking me to join the trial. I just knew MN would have a thread about it!

My appointment is next week. DH is a bit worried but I am really pleased to be involved. I'm in London.

Does anyone know what happens if you get a positive Covid test?

[Frazzled2207]

@Vargas
I asked and they seemed to suggest it wouldn't affect your participation in the trial. They would just need to know. In any case you won't know if you're positive or not until a few days after you have the shot.

[Torvean32]

I got told the same as @Frazzled2207 about the Covid test.

[andadietcoke]

Just tried to use my special free thermometer. No instructions, threw up an error message and then died with a dead battery

[andadietcoke]

Can't remember who asked but we've just had an email from the study lead confirming that if there's a vaccine available before the end anyone eligible to receive it will be able to unblind.

That won't include me so hoping I'm in the active group!! Also confirmed that even though we're in tier 3 everything continues with the trial. I hadn't considered anything otherwise tbh.

Apologies about the app too!!

[Frazzled2207]

@andadietcoke
Why would you not be eligible?
Also just got the email.

[rogueantimatter]

I went for my first session today and found the swab test for covid much less onerous than I thought it would be. The nurse supervised self-administration of it. Even so I'm now worrying I didn't do it properly- I had only a very slight gag and tickle doing the throat one. But I do like to worry.


2 nurses and a doctor had a go at getting blood before the doctor who did the examination and forms came in and managed it. She's an anaesthetist apparently.




The priority post box for posting the test was at a sub post office near me, but the guy refused to take it so I went to one in a WH Smith shop and deposited as discreetly as possible.

[andadietcoke]

[quote Frazzled2207]@andadietcoke
Why would you not be eligible?
Also just got the email.[/quote]
Oh I mean I will eventually but sounds like frontline healthcare then vulnerable / elderly, then down to people in their 50s. Imagine it'll be a long time until I get a vaccine if it isn't via this.

[Frazzled2207]

Ah yes see what you’re saying. I’m younger so will be even further down the queue.

[andadietcoke]

Same. I'm 38. Not arguing with the reasoning, seems absolutely fair, but I do get bad chest infections with off the scale CRP numbers. I'm not sure I'd do well with COVID. Back to plan b and losing 5 stone 😂

[Torvean32]

I never got an email about that. I did get the October vaccine registry letter. Did anybody else get that?