Blackpool doctor at the heart of resort's Novavax trials 'elated' with vaccine's success

The Blackpool GP who led the resort's Novavax study from her Layton surgery has spoken of her pride after receiving the news the vaccine had passed its UK trials.
By Rebecca Beardmore
Published 29th Jan 2021, 16:18 BST
Updated 29th Jan 2021, 16:49 BST
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Dr Rebecca Clark, GP and partner at Layton Medical Centre, led the Novavax trials at the surgery as the principal investigator, along with Dr Angela Parker, researcher at Blackpool Vic's Patient Recruitment Centre.

US biotech firm Novavax announced last night that its jabs had passed UK phase three trials, demonstrating 89.3 per cent efficacy.

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Novavax said the jab "showed strong efficacy in its phase three UK trial with over 50 per cent of cases attributable to the now-predominant UK variant and the remainder attributable to Covid-19 virus."

Dr Rebecca Clark, principal investigator of the Novavax trial at Layton Medical Centre, praised the participants for helping the vaccine cross the line and pass its UK study.Dr Rebecca Clark, principal investigator of the Novavax trial at Layton Medical Centre, praised the participants for helping the vaccine cross the line and pass its UK study.
Dr Rebecca Clark, principal investigator of the Novavax trial at Layton Medical Centre, praised the participants for helping the vaccine cross the line and pass its UK study.

Dr Clark, who recruited the world's first Novavax trial participant at Layton Medical Centre, said she was "elated, overwhelmed, vindicated and thrilled" by the trial's success.

"The trial will continue for further analysis and further rigorous testing, but it's amazing news," she said.

"We really couldn't have done it without The Gazette, most of our participants came from reading about the trial through its news, and we really are indebted to its readers and the people of Blackpool.

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"We are so grateful to everyone who has taken part in this trial."

300 participants were required for the trials at first, but the study received an overwhelming response from Fylde coast residents eager to do their bit in the fight against Covid-19.

638 participants were signed up to take part, but a staggering 2,500 resort residents put their name down.

The full task force behind the Novavax trials in Blackpool was female, prompting Dr Clark to take to Twitter to encourage local young women to pursue a science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) career.

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"To all the young girls who want a career in STEM, 100 per cent of the leadership team for the delivery of the Novavax trial in Blackpool are women," she said.

So far, the UK has secured 60 million doses of the vaccine, with manufacturing set to take place at Fujifilm Diosynth in Billingham, Teesside.

In response to the successful trial news, Prime Minister Boris Johnson tweeted: "Good news that the Novavax vaccine has proved effective in UK trials. Thank you to all the volunteers who made these results possible."

Related topics:Blackpool