Researchers and staff at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust have played their part proving the effectiveness of the new Novavax COVID-19 vaccine.

Chelsea and Westminster Hospital is one of the UK sites participating in the Novavax COVID-19 vaccine trial, which yesterday announced study results showing 89.3% efficacy in UK trials. The Novavax jab is effective against the new virus variants found in both UK and South Africa.

Dr Marta Boffito, Principle Investigator of the trial at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and Consultant Physician in Infectious Diseases and HIV Medicine explains; “These results are extremely good news. The Novavax vaccine has the potential to play an important role in the fight against COVID-19 and we are proud to have been a part of this this large-scale study involving around 20 regions across the UK. We look forward to continuing our work to help make the vaccine available as quickly as possible.”

The study assessed efficacy during a period of high transmission and with a new UK variant strain of the virus emerging and circulating widely. More than 15,000 participants between 18-84 years of age, including 27% over the age of 65, were enrolled onto the study in the UK.

The UK’s medicines regulator (MHRA) will now assess the vaccine, which is hoped to get approval by March or April, when manufacture of the vaccine in Stockton-on-Tees is due to commence.

More information about Novavax and the trial results can be found here.