Over 250 frontline health workers across the city have been recruited to take part in a COVID-19 vaccine trial. 

The trial, which begins in two weeks time, will see health and care workers between the ages of 18-55 take part. Those who have been invited are deemed as health and have not previously been infected from the virus. 

While 250 people will initially be recruited, staff from the dental sector, ambulance crew and those from community assessment centres are encouraged to apply. 

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Participants will be randomised to receive one or two doses of either the ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 vaccine or a licensed meningitis vaccine (MenACWY) that will be used as a ‘control’ for comparison.

Participants will be involved in the trial for the next 12 months and will be supported by NHSGGC and University of Glasgow researchers throughout its duration.

Health Secretary Jeane Freeman said: “I am delighted that the Universities of Glasgow and Edinburgh along with NHS colleagues are taking part in the human safety trials for the development of a COVID-19 vaccine by Oxford University.

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“Scotland has a long established reputation for medical research, and I would like to thank the research community across the country.

"The pace of work and the commitment of teams across Scotland has been outstanding and is testament to the world-class research infrastructure and expertise we have here.

“Of course, while the prospect of an effective vaccine developed here in the UK is exciting, there is no guarantee of success and we must continue to follow the guidelines set out by the Scottish Government to reduce the spread of COVID-19 and protect our NHS.” 

Phases II/III of the study will provide valuable information on safety aspects of the vaccine and its ability to generate good immune responses against the virus.