Volunteers needed for Covid study to see if vaccines and flu jabs can be administered during one appointment

Grounded Research, a team of researchers from the Rotherham Doncaster and South Humber NHS Foundation Trust (RDaSH), are calling for people aged between 18 to 64 and have had just one dose of the Pfizer vaccine to take part in this study.

The study hopes to determine whether a booster Covid-19 vaccine should be given at the same time as flu vaccines and could set the foundations for how booster vaccinations are delivered in future. 

While there are vaccines that have been approved to protect against Covid-19 in the UK, it is not yet known whether further booster doses may be required to give continued protection, and how giving boosters might fit in with the seasonal flu jab programme. 

The study is being sponsored by University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust supported by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR). 

From Monday (May 17), Grounded Research will work with the study team from the Bristol Trials Centre at the University of Bristol, to look at the side effects and immune response when volunteers receive their Covid-19 booster and flu vaccine at the same time. 

Dr Adrian Phillipson, is leading the trial for Grounded Research, said: “As a society we need to immunise large numbers of people against Covid-19, and we also need to continue the seasonal flu vaccination schedule.

“This vital research will help us know if it’s possible to protect people from both viruses at the same appointment, which would mean fewer appointments for those who need both vaccines and would reduce the burden on those who have underlying health conditions who would usually be offered the influenza vaccine.”

The trial will be run from Grounded Research’s new dedicated centre for vaccine research, the result of a partnership with NHS partners from primary and secondary care, local government and higher education, based in the RDaSH Tickhill Road Site in Balby, Doncaster.

RDaSH executive medical director, Dr Navjot Ahluwalia, said: “This significant piece of research will potentially help protect more people in society against both flu and Covid-19, both of which have significant effects on those most vulnerable in society. 

“Those taking part in this trial will play a crucial role in the global effort to continue to protect people from Covid-19, now and in the years to come.”

Visit https://comflucov.blogs.bristol.ac.uk/participate-rotherham-doncaster-and-south-humber-nhs-foundation-trust/ to sign up.