Hospital which saved Boris Johnson offers residents a trial of latest vaccine

The hospital trust which treated prime minister Boris Johnson when he had Covid-19 is offering people the chance to test what its specialists hope is a cure.

Guy’s and St Thomas’ is looking for volunteers to participate in a clinical trial studying an investigational vaccine against coronavirus.

The vaccine has recently completed preliminary testing in humans.The vaccine now requires testing on a large scale and a study involving 9,000 people in around 18 regions across the UK is starting.

A statment from the trust said: “The test showed promising initial results on antibody levels in healthy volunteers and no serious safety concerns identified to date.”

Guy’s and St Thomas’ aims to recruit volunteers aged 18-84. The study aims to recruit a representative sample from the entire population so most people will be suitable.

But the clinical trial would not be suitable for those with a body mass index below 17 or above 35, those taking anticoagulant therapy (aspirin or clopidogrel is fine) or anyone pregnant or aiming to become pregnant in the next year.

Participants at higher risk from COVID-19 for any reason, e.g. due to their age, social situation or ethnicity, are particularly welcome.

Anyone interested should go to https://www.guysandstthomas.nhs.uk/research/studies/covid-19.aspx#na