One Show's Dr Jarvis backs trials of new COVID-19 vaccines

The One Show’s Dr Sarah Jarvis supports COVID-19 vaccine research in a very practical way—by volunteering for a clinical trial at Chelsea and Westminster.

Individual participation in clinical trials is confidential, but Dr Jarvis approached the Trust and The One Show to cover the issue and encourage participation.

Her report aired on the BBC on 12 Nov, showing Dr Jarvis in the Clinical Research Facility, a designated ward separate from the main Chelsea site building, where research is conducted. She explains the importance of thorough trials, discusses vaccine safety and addresses a few myths. The vaccine tested on Dr Jarvis contains no virus and cannot give you COVID. This is a Phase 3 trial, testing the vaccine’s effectiveness. The piece is available on BBC iPlayer.

Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust is one of several centres recruiting healthy individuals for current and future COVID vaccine trials.

We are looking for people aged 18–84, particularly those over 65 and those from Black and minority ethnic groups. Given the impact of COVID on older people and those from these ethnic groups, it is especially important for them to be involved in the trial process if possible. 

Those interested in volunteering for trials at Chelsea and Westminster—particularly for future trials—should email their contact details to caw-tr.crf@nhs.net or call 07825 681110. 

There is also a national register for COVID vaccine trials. Anyone interested in taking part in a vaccine study can register to be contacted about future trials at www.nhs.uk/researchcontact.