Merton Lockdown Stories #1: Taking part in vaccine trials
Today we begin a series of features we’re calling Merton Lockdown Stories, bringing you news of how the College community is adapting and responding to these strangest of times.
Our first contributor is Emily Bruce, recently appointed as Alumni Communications Officer in the Development team, who has volunteered to participate in the University of Oxford’s COVID-19 vaccine human trials. She tells us why she decided to take part, and what the process has involved so far:
I’ve thought about taking part in a vaccine trial for a while now: although not a scientist (I studied English), I have always taken an interest in it, especially in medical science. I am also the kind of person (as cheesy as it may sound) that likes to feel I am 'giving back' in some way (for example, I volunteer at a local charity). If I am able to give my time to help others, I want to do that, especially for causes I believe in. So, I signed up to the Oxford Vaccine Group’s mailing list and looked at opportunities occasionally, but never actually followed through.
When the COVID-19 vaccine trial started, however, I knew I had to take part. After all, I was healthy, low risk and met all the criteria. I wanted to do something to help fight this battle, and given that I live in Oxford, I thought I should do it if I could. I read the patient information sheet on the trial website carefully, and the risk seemed incredibly low. I didn’t feel anything was stopping me, and so I filled in the online form and waited patiently.
Soon I got an email regarding screening dates, and signed up for one on Easter Saturday (11 April). I arrived at the Centre for Clinical Vaccinology and Tropical Medicine in the Churchill Hospital ten minutes before my 10:00am appointment as instructed, and a security guard wearing PPE checked for my name and let me in. On arrival, I had to show my driving licence to the receptionist for proof of identification. I was then taken to a room that contained five other volunteers – in chairs spaced 2 metres apart – and a member of staff, who showed us a video (featuring the brilliantly named Professor Snape – no relation to Alan Rickman!) with information about the trial. It was made very clear we could choose to withdraw from the trial whenever we liked. We were then given forms to fill in – including consent forms and contact details for our doctors’ surgeries for our medical history – and taken to individual screening rooms. There the very friendly nurse and doctor (heavily protected), did all my checks including taking my bloods, height, weight, temperature…etc. I signed another consent form, which I was given a copy of, and was then sent on my way. All in all, the visit was just over an hour, as opposed to the 2½ hours they said it could take. They told me they were hoping to start administering the vaccine at the end of the month, and would be in touch as long as everything looked okay.
Emily passed the screening process, and has now received her vaccination date – Saturday 2 May. You can read further updates from Emily as the trial progresses on our Facebook page.
UPDATE: 7 May 2020
I was emailed my appointment details on Tuesday 28 April for that Saturday, 2 May. Was I nervous? Well, the vaccines had been going on for a week at that point and all seemed OK, so I wasn’t at all – I might have been if I was one of the first!On arrival my name was again checked by security at the door, and I again had to show proof of ID at reception. I was then asked to sit in the waiting room (again, all chairs spaced 2m apart), along with others who had already had the vaccine and were waiting to be dismissed if all was fine 30 minutes later.
Soon I was called in to have my checks: I was met with a medical student from Pembroke (shame it wasn’t Merton, but you can’t have it all!). She said around 20 Oxford University medical students were helping with various aspects of the trial. I was again told I could withdraw from the trial at any time. It was also emphasised to me that I shouldn’t assume I would have immunity to the virus post-vaccine. I had more blood samples taken, my blood pressure and temperature checked, which all looked fine. I waited for a doctor to come and check over everything and approve me to have the vaccine. She asked me a series of questions to ensure I understood what the trial entailed and what reactions I might have to the vaccine – it felt like I was taking a test! (Luckily I passed).
Then a wait as they got ready to administer my vaccine. I was told it can take a while, because those actually giving you the vaccine aren’t allowed to know if you are getting the control vaccine or the COVID-19 one (us volunteers will find out, but only after the trial officially ends in around a year).
Eventually, I was taken to a room with a nurse who explained the process to me once more. I had the vaccine in my upper left arm (as a right-hander!), which was fine. I was also sent a link to a video about completing my e-diary – in which I’ll be recording any symptoms and my temperature each day for the next 29 days before my first follow-up appointment at the end of the month.
Following my vaccine, I was asked to report to the nurse in reception, who would check on me after half an hour to ensure I was okay after the vaccine. Whilst I waited I watched the e-diary video. My arm felt a little sore, but I was otherwise fine. After 30 minutes the nurse checked on me, again taking my blood pressure and asking how I felt. All was fine, so I was sent on my way after confirming my first follow-up appointment (Saturday 30 May), with a pack including a thermometer, tape measure (for measuring the redness or the vaccine site, if needed), and a card containing my trial participant number that noted I was taking part in the trial if anything happened to me and I was taken to hospital, so those treating me would be aware.
Since then I have felt absolutely fine, apart from a little soreness (expected) in my upper right arm. I’ve been filling in my e-diary with my temperature, which has been normal, and (lack of, luckily!) symptoms each day.
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