Plastic DGP Pathoseal® 95 bag containing an absorbent pad, from kit for phase 3 Novavax 2019nCoV-302 vaccine trial at Stockport NHS Foundation Trust.

Launched in September 2020, the phase 3 trial of Novavax’s vaccine was the largest ever double blind placebo controlled trial to be undertaken in the United Kingdom. This meant that the researchers or participants did not know what injection people received. Half of the participants were given the active vaccine and the other half, an inactive solution.15,000 people were involved from 35 research sites. The highest recruiting region was Greater Manchester with 1240 volunteers from Stockport NHS Foundation Trust and the Northern Care Alliance NHS Group. This kit was used with volunteers to monitor them during the trial and represents the crucial role volunteers play in the process.

Phase 3 trial results showed an overall 89.7% efficacy rate including against alpha and beta variants of the virus. Earlier clinical trials were carried out in Australia, United States and South Africa. All volunteers who received placebo solution are to be offered the active vaccine.