First Novavax trial participant in the world from Bispham took part to 'protect her loved ones'

A teacher from Bispham who was the first person in the world to participate in the recently-passed Novavax Covid-19 vaccine trial, said she didn't think taking part was brave - bravery belonged to the doctors and nurses on the front line.
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When Karen Eaves, of Rivington Avenue in Bispham, volunteered to take part in US firm Novavax's Covid vaccine trial in October last year, she had no idea she would actually be the first person in the world to do so.

Mrs Eaves, a teacher at St Thomas' Church of England Primary School in St Annes, saw information about enrolling on the trial in The Gazette and wasted no time in signing up.

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The 49-year-old said her son Sam, who is 21 and diabetic, inspired her to do anything she could to help find a way out of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Karen Eaves from Bispham was the first person in the world to take part in the Novavax Covid-19 vaccine trial. Picture: Daniel Martino/JPI MediaKaren Eaves from Bispham was the first person in the world to take part in the Novavax Covid-19 vaccine trial. Picture: Daniel Martino/JPI Media
Karen Eaves from Bispham was the first person in the world to take part in the Novavax Covid-19 vaccine trial. Picture: Daniel Martino/JPI Media

"You would do anything to protect your family, wouldn't you?" Karen said.

"My son had to shield during the first lockdown, and thinking back to March last year I was just so worried about him.

"I had to work from home, he couldn't go out and I just felt really helpless, like there was nothing we could do. I just wanted to keep him as safe as I could.

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"We're all in this together, there's no way out of it, so ultimately I did this to try to protect the people I care for."

Karen Eaves pictured with some of her pupils at St Thomas' Church of England Primary School in St Annes. Photo: Daniel Martino/JPI MediaKaren Eaves pictured with some of her pupils at St Thomas' Church of England Primary School in St Annes. Photo: Daniel Martino/JPI Media
Karen Eaves pictured with some of her pupils at St Thomas' Church of England Primary School in St Annes. Photo: Daniel Martino/JPI Media

Karen emailed Dr Rebecca Clark, the principal investigator on the Novavax trial at Layton Medical Centre, on September 21 offering to take part in the trial.

She then received an appointment to attend Layton Medical Centre a week later on September 28.

"The vaccination team was fabulous," Karen continued.

"I went back on day 21, three weeks later to have my second vaccine, and on day 35 I had blood tests and antibodies tests.

Karen Eaves, a teacher at St Thomas' Church of England Primary School, said she took part in the Novavax vaccine trial at Layon Medical Centre in a bid to protect the people she loved. Picture: Daniel Martino/JPI MediaKaren Eaves, a teacher at St Thomas' Church of England Primary School, said she took part in the Novavax vaccine trial at Layon Medical Centre in a bid to protect the people she loved. Picture: Daniel Martino/JPI Media
Karen Eaves, a teacher at St Thomas' Church of England Primary School, said she took part in the Novavax vaccine trial at Layon Medical Centre in a bid to protect the people she loved. Picture: Daniel Martino/JPI Media
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"I went back again in January to have a three-month check, but I still don't know whether I had the vaccine or a placebo.

"They needed the placebo group though, because without them the data wouldn't be possible."

The Novavax trial at Layton Medical Centre was the first of two trials in the resort, the other spearheaded by Dr Angela Parker at Blackpool Vic's Patient Recruitment Centre.

Some 500 people were urged to sign up for the study, which signified the last testing hurdle before the Novavax jab could be officially classed as safe and effective.

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But the response was overwhelming, with 2,500 willing participants putting their names forward.

The trial was 'double-blind', which meant volunteers including Karen - as well as medics - didn't know if they had been given the vaccine or a saline placebo.

At the time of volunteering, Dr Clark praised the people of Blackpool for their participation and said "they never let [her] down."

The Novavax jab was officially passed in the UK on January 28, all thanks to Karen and thousands of other volunteers across the world who put their arms out to help.

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The vaccine demonstrated 89.3 per cent efficacy in its UK phase three trial, and US biotech firm Novavax said it "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."

The firm also announced successful results of its Phase 2b study conducted in South Africa.

Over a quarter of a million people in the UK registered to take part in Novavax trials across the country, and around 20,000 people aged 18-84 were signed up to receive the jab.

The UK has secured 60 million doses of Novavax’s vaccine to be delivered in the second half of this year, if approved for use by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), who will assess whether the vaccine meets robust standards of safety, effectiveness and quality.

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The Novavax vaccine is made up of a combination of nanoparticles, containing an engineered Covid-19 spike protein and the plant chemical-based adjuvant Matrix-M. Adjuvants are ingredients added to vaccines to boost immune responses and stimulate high levels of neutralising antibodies.

Karen said she was incredibly proud of being able to take part in the trial in her hometown, and hoped it would be licensed soon to help reduce the risk of the virus.

"How amazing is it that this trial was so local?" she continued.

"I got an email from Dr Clark shortly after the first vaccine to let me know I was the first person in the UK to have it, but then a few weeks later she confirmed I was the first person in the world.

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"It was just unbelievable - I couldn't get my head round it. I'm very proud and fortunate to be have been given that first appointment, it could have gone to anybody.

"I'm just representing the 15,000 people in the UK who took part along with me.

"I didn't feel like I had to be brave to do it. Look at all the doctors and nurses facing what they do every day - that's bravery.

"I did this with the hope that one day we can get out of this awful pandemic, and hopefully there's a light at the end of the tunnel."

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