One of the world’s first Omicron-specific variant vaccines is to be trialled at Derriford Hospital followed by other Devon and Cornwall hospitals later in March, as the biotechnology company Moderna, Inc works with the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR).

The innovative study will see participants receive a first or second booster. In the South West, it is opening first at University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust, with plans to open at the Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust, and the NIHR Patient Recruitment Centre: Exeter at Royal Devon and Exeter NHS Foundation Trust.

Half of the volunteers will receive a Moderna Omicron variant vaccine and the other half will be vaccinated with the commonly used standard Moderna COVID-19 vaccine (Spikevax).

This is the first commercially sponsored Moderna vaccine trial to take place in the UK, and demonstrates the appeal, support and expertise the NIHR and other national research organisations in the UK can provide to the life sciences industry.??It is also one of the first studies globally to be assessing the effectiveness of a fourth COVID-19 dose, and is being led by a team based at St George’s Hospital. The study is also open to people who are yet to receive their first booster dose - those who have received just two primary doses.??

Professor Lucy Chappell, Chief Executive of the National Institute for Health Research, said: “The last two years have demonstrated the vital importance of international scientific collaboration.?

"So it is truly exciting to see the NIHR and Moderna working with research teams across the UK on Moderna’s first major UK COVID-19 vaccine study.??“With world-leading researchers, and the unique infrastructure and delivery expertise the NIHR provides, the UK is well-positioned to host exactly these sorts of significant, innovative projects in a post-pandemic world.”

Moderna has stated that while a third shot of its original COVID-19 vaccine (also referred to as Spikevax) increased neutralising antibodies against the Omicron variant at the lower half dose (used in the UK rollout), levels declined six months after the booster dose was administered. However, neutralising antibodies remained detectable in all participants.

Health and Social Care Secretary Sajid Javid said: “The UK is a world leader when it comes to the research and development of vaccines and medicines, bolstered by our renowned life sciences industry.

“It’s fantastic to see these capabilities being put to good use, with almost 3,000 people expected to take part in this important clinical trial. I want this country to be the best place in the world to launch clinical trials.

“I urge anyone eligible to take part in this vital research and play their part in protecting the country for years to come as we learn to live with COVID-19.”

Those enrolled who have already had a third dose (i.e their booster), must have received an mRNA vaccine (Moderna, Pfizer/BioNTech) as a third dose. Whereas those who have previously received two doses may have received mRNA (Moderna, Pfizer/BioNTech) or non-mRNA (Oxford/AstraZeneca, Janssen) vaccines.

?Participants will need to have not tested positive for COVID-19 since the beginning of November 2021, and had their last vaccine at least three months prior to joining the study, which is recruiting for the next four weeks.

Dr Claire Bethune, Principal Investigator for the study at University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust, said: “We are very excited to be able to recruit participants from the Plymouth area into this latest COVID-19 vaccine study. While COVID-19 continues to affect our lives in so many ways and new variants continue to emerge, it remains important to contribute to the work being done to develop new vaccines.”