Valneva Covid vaccine trials set for Blackpool Victoria Hospital over May bank holiday

The phase three trial will compare a Covid vaccine developed by French firm Valneva with the AstraZeneca vaccine.

There will be no placebo group during the trial, with both doses guaranteed for everyone taking part by the end of May.

Participants aged between 18 and 30 will receive the Valneva jab, whereas those over 30 could receive either Valneva or AstraZeneca - but all are paid £600 for taking part.

Around 4,000 people in the UK are expected to take part in trials nationwide, with Blackpool Vic's Patient Recruitment Centre set to host 120 participants.

Adam Finn chief investigator for the Valneva program, professor of Paediatrics at the University of Bristol and consultant at the Bristol Royal Hospital for Children, said: “Following very encouraging safety and immune response results from our Phase 1/2 trial, along with my investigator colleagues, I am really looking forward to starting on this important next stage of the clinical development of this important new vaccine.

"We definitely need more vaccines to help us out of this pandemic and this one is a very promising candidate."

If the Valneva vaccine is approved following the trials, it will be made in Scotland and millions of doses will be secured by the Government.

Vaccines minister Nadhim Zahawi said: "The UK has been at the forefront of cutting-edge innovation throughout this pandemic, with Valneva’s vaccine set to be made in Scotland, if approved.

"We have an incredible infrastructure in place for trialling these extraordinary medical advances, and I am delighted the UK will be home to another promising vaccine trial.

"I’ve taken part in a vaccine clinical trial myself and would urge all those thinking about signing up to go for it, and to play a part in helping protect your loved ones and saving lives."

To secure one of the 120 places on the trial, email the Vic's Patient Recruitment Centre here.