novavax vaccine trial - anyone else?

[Frazzled2207]

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

They said my second visit would be two hours. It won't be 20 mins anyway as they have to observe you for 30 mins after the injection.

@GreenPlum

They said my second visit would be two hours. It won't be 20 mins anyway as they have to observe you for 30 mins after the injection.

I was surprised too - it was someone down thread who had actually been for theirs though.

@mollypuss1

Just had my second jab, then have to go back in 2 weeks for a blood test. This appointment was much quicker than the 1st, blood pressure, temperature, pulse and blood oxygen levels taken plus another pregnancy test then straight to the jab, wait for about 15 mins then all tests redone (minus the pregnancy test obviously). I was in and out in half an hour this time. Asked about the app and they said there had been several teething issues but they think they’ve been ironed out now. Have to fill out the vaccine reaction symptoms questionnaires for the next 7 days but ignore the Flu-Plus ones unless I develop symptoms. She told me to ignore the push notifications after 7 days.

Sorry... 30 mins not 20.

I had my first appointment today, London. It all ran very smoothly and took pretty much exactly 2 hours as they said in the email. The doctor and the nurse I saw seemed very 'up'. The lovely nurse had just started on the trial and seemed really keen to be there and taking part. I didn't see many other people, perhaps 4 or 5 but they were all white and female and over 40!!

The nurse told me that they still want more volunteers, which goes slightly against the emails I have seen saying that there are more than 200,000 volunteers.

My arm is slightly sore now, similar to any vaccine I've had before, and DH has confirmed that I haven't yet grown a second head . I didn't love doing the Covid swab myself, and as the nurse said, it was putting the sample posting box together that is the most challenging part of the whole trial!

I did have to laugh when they presented the ruler as an amazing gift, I have about 7 of those at home already.

Yay! Well done Vargas!

Second appointment this week - in and out in just under an hour. Again a total lack of symptoms or discomfort.
I mentioned that I'd broken the free thermometer (washed it...) and they very happily presented me with a replacement!

Well done everyone who's doing this

So wonderful and brave xx

Thanks @Frazzled2207

Vargas, I wonder if I saw you? As I thought the same about the group of people there on Thursday (also part of the Novovax London trial).
The nurse told me that at the end of the trial we’ll be unblinded and given the Novovax vaccine if we had the placebo (assuming it is cleared for use). I found it really interesting talking to them about it while I drank my tea and had my temperature taken every so often.

Other than sore arm has anyone actually had any symptoms at all? If we’re all symptom free then chances are some of us did actually get the ready thing.
My arm was barely sore at all though. Less so than the last time I got a vaccine - possibly for whooping cough when I was pregnant

Did you all get tea and biscuits? We got nothing? I was too acared to take my mask off to drink my water. So i still felt like I had cotton from the swab stuck in my mouth.

For about 72 hours after my first vaccination i had bad muscle cramps in my arms, legs and back. I dont want to say that in oerson though in case I got the placebo.

Will be interested to see how I react to the second vaccination/placebo next week.

@Torvean32
biscuits yes tea and coffee no due to covid (?) Plenty of bottles of water around though.

Sounds like you definitely got given something more powerful than a saline solution! Apparently sometimes in trials like this the placebo could be a vaccination for something unrelated which could cause side effects. I got the impression that the placebo this time was a saline solution but the doc was clear that even that could cause some side effects. Hopefully someone knows more about placebos?

The notes I was sent to read did state that the placebo is saline. I have a friend who is doing the Oxford study and their placebo is another vaccine. Can't remember what (meningitis? 🤷🏼‍♀️) so at least something useful!

Tolstoy - I was there on Friday so wouldn't have seen you.

No tea or biscuits for me but I was told to take my own water.

I have a bit of a sore arm today, but nothing else. I have never had any symptoms after other vaccines so I'm not terribly surprised. I really hope I got the vaccine but hey ho. And our docs said the placebo was definitely just saline.

Has anyone been told results of antibody test? I assume some people in the trial must have had asymptomatic Covid at some point, so I'm guessing they would then be excluded?

@Frazzled2207

yes perhaps that's what she meant. I am going on tuesday and I hope it to all take a bit less time than last as I have a busy day!

Hi, yes that is what I meant. I’m happy to be corrected though, there’s such a lot of rumours and misinformation about.

I asked what is in the placebo and they said saline.
Got tea and biscuits.
My second visit is next Friday. I’ve had no side effects other than a very small bruise at the injection site.

My second appointment was definitely 30 mins, not 2 hours. They asked a few questions about contraception etc, took vitals then injection, 20 min wait, vitals again then home.

You're very brave. Thank you.

Just found this thread. I had my first appointment earlier this month and have my second booked for this week. I think I was one of the first to take part in my area - my first appointment was very disorganised and I ended up being there for nearly 4 hours rather than the 2 advertised! I had a COVID swab taken, but have not had a result; I'm assuming no news is good news.
I've had no symptoms of any kind - not even a sore arm!

I had a metallic taste in my mouth and a sore arm for about 48h as well as some neck pain. But it was also around ovulation and I get very weird ovulation symptoms. I have a fitness tracker and my HRV, RHR and respiratory rate were all unaffected the day after, but there was a massive dip on the Tuesday. Looking forward to seeing what happens tomorrow!

Glad I found this. Had my first Novavax trial jab yesterday and have a sore arm today and feel slightly under the weather. I’m really unclear what I’m supposed to do with the app they make you download - I checked it yesterday and today and there’s nothing there for me to fill in. Is that right?

Good luck to everyone taking part. Such important trials; I really think the solution to COVID is in sight here and it’s great to play a part in it.

shergar, did you have the flu jab too? As I think the app tracks responses to the flu jab initially then from day 7 starts looking at the covid jab too. So if you only had the covid vaccine or placebo you wouldn’t have any questionnaires yet. That at least is my understanding. I do think an information sheet would have been helpful though!

I didn't have the flu jab as I'd already had it in early October, so I was told only to use the app if I get Covid symptoms, but to call them first. So my impression is that I don't touch the app (other than downloading it) until I've spoken to someone on the team. Best case scenario is I never get symptoms and never use the app. But I'll clarify this at next appointment.

Just been told that the placebo group will only get the vaccine if they're eligible. He did say though that by October there will probably be 2 or 3 licensed vaccines.

@shergar you don't need to do anything with the app. The diary will activate in 7 days but even then you don't touch it unless you Have Covid symptoms, ring the team, and they advise you to complete it.

Thanks @andadietcoke