A new clinical trial set to start in early June will see thousands of volunteers receive a third dose of the Covid-19 vaccination.
Health secretary Matt Hancock announced the new ‘Cov-Boost‘ study which is to be led by researchers in Southampton, with 2,886 volunteers taking part across 16 sites in England although none in the Swindon or Witshire area.
Mr Hancock said: “We will do everything we can to future-proof this country from pandemics and other threats to our health security, and the data from this world-first clinical trial will help shape the plans for our booster programme later this year.”
It is hoped the study will provide data on the impact of a third dose on people’s immune responses, with initial findings expected in September.
The Department of Health and Social Care said the findings would “help inform decisions by the JCVI on plans for a booster programme from autumn this year”.
