Experts are still seeking Scots to participate in coronavirus vaccine trials.
The University of Oxford is on the hunt for healthy people to volunteer to test out the jab across the NHS Lothian health board area.
It will use the trial to find out valuable information on the safety aspects of the vaccine and its ability to generate good immune response against Covid-19.
Participants will be asked to visit their designated trial centre between six and 12 times, where they will undergo a series of blood tests and nasal/throat swabs.
Information from these tests will check for any Covid-19 related symptoms and any other symptoms that occur following vaccination.
Appointments for the vaccine will usually last around 90 minutes, with follow ups lasting around 20 minutes.
The length of the trial will last between 12 and 15 months.
People with higher exposure to Covid-19 will be prioritised for the trial - such as frontline healthcare workers and other front facing key workers with little access to PPE.
Volunteers must be over the age of 18 and be in good health. They must also be based in Edinburgh, Midlothian, East Lothian, West Lothian, Fife, Forth Valley and the Borders.
A spokesperson for the trial said: “This study will enable us to assess if health people can be protected from Covid-19 with this new vaccine called ChAdOx1 nCoV-19.
“It will also give us valuable information on safety aspects of the vaccine and its ability to generate good immune responses against the virus.
“We will do this randomly allocated participants to receive the ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 vaccine or a Men ACWY vaccine in addition to doing blood tests, nasal/throat swabs and collecting information about Covid-19 related symptoms any other symptoms that occur after vaccination.”
Recent studies on the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine found that the jab could reduce transmission by 67 per cent after just one dose.
Researchers also found that the first dose of the jab can offer protection of 76 per cent for up to three months.
The results were described by Scotland’s Chief Medical Officer as “very encouraging”.
Almost 650,000 people in Scotland have been given their first dose of the coronavirus vaccine, according to the latest figures published by the Scottish Government.
Health officials are hoping to jab around 400,000 Scots per week by the end of this month.
More information on the Oxford vaccine trial and how to apply can be found here.
