Researchers are on the hunt for volunteers to take part in a new coronavirus vaccine trial.
The study, starting in Oldham next month, will compare the effectiveness of the Valneva vaccine against the already-approved AstraZeneca jab.
It comes after positive results from Valneva’s phase 1 and 2 trials, with the vaccine well-tolerated and no safety concerns identified.
Researchers say the trial is a chance for younger people who have not yet had a jab to be vaccinated.
The study, led by experts at the Northern Care Alliance NHS Group (NCA), will kick off between May 13 and 16 at Oldham Leisure Centre with volunteers receiving their second dose four weeks later.
People taking part will either be given two doses of Valneva’s investigational vaccine or the AstraZeneca vaccine.
Those aged under 30 will only be given the Valneva vaccine.
The Valneva vaccine contains an inactivated version of the coronavirus which cannot cause disease, but should teach the body's
immune system how to fight it.
The specialty vaccine company has already agreed to provide Britain with 60 million doses once the vaccine has been approved by MHRA with the UK supply being manufactured in Scotland.
The NCA’s Director of Research, Professor Phil Kalra, said: "“Valneva’s vaccine is the type known as an inactivated whole virus vaccine.
"These vaccines contain viruses whose genetic material has been destroyed so they cannot infect cells and replicate but can still trigger an immune response.
"This type of vaccine is well-established and has been used in seasonal influenza, hepatitis A, polio and rabies vaccines.”
Volunteers will have five further appointments to assess whether they have antibodies against Covid-19 and to capture any potential side effects after the vaccination.
People will be compensated for their time and travel costs.
Anyone who is aged over 18 and has not already been vaccinated can take part.
Although trial is based in Oldham, people from across Greater Manchester are welcome to apply.
People can register to find out more about the study here.
Professor Kalra, who is also lead doctor for the study at the NCA, added: “We are hugely grateful to the nearly 600 people who have already taken part in our previous vaccine and antibody studies in the community.
"They have told us that they have felt very well looked after and that they have enjoyed having the chance to contribute to the fightback against Covid-19.
“Anyone who gets involved in this latest study will be helping the NHS in its continuing drive to protect our communities from Covid-19.”
You can find out more about the study here.
