Epsom and St Helier Trust are calling for volunteers to participate in a clinical trial investigating a vaccine against Covid-19.

The Novavax Covid-19 vaccine has recently completed preliminary testing in humans, which showed "promising initial results".

Early trial data on 83 people, showed that the vaccine appeared to be safe, as confirmed in the New England Journal of Medicine.

Results showed that volunteers were producing antibodies that could neutralise the virus.

Now, the vaccine requires testing on a large scale and a study involving 9000 people in around 18 regions across the UK is starting.

Your Local Guardian:

The trust aims to recruit around 100 volunteers aged between 18 to 84 from the Surrey, Sutton, Kingston upon Thames and Croydon area.

The study aims to recruit a representative sample from the entire population so most people will be suitable. However, this clinical trial would not be suitable for:

- Anyone with a body mass index below 17 or above 35

-Anyone taking anticoagulant therapy (aspirin or clopidogrel is fine)

-Anyone pregnant or aiming to become pregnant in the next yet.

- Participants at higher risk from Covid-19 for any reason, eg due to their age, social situation or ethnicity, are particularly welcome.

The study involves six visits to St Helier Hospital, Clinical Trials Unit, over the period of approximately 13 months.

It has been confirmed that "reasonable" travel expenses will be reimbursed.

If anyone is interested in participating in the trials, contact esth.covidvaccine@nhs.net.

You can also access the pre-screening questionnaire here.