One of world’s first Omicron Covid-19 variant vaccines to be trialled in Greater Manchester

One of the world’s first Omicron-specific Covid-19 variant vaccines is to be trialled in Greater Manchester. The booster vaccine study will start in Salford this week, and will see around 100 people receive a first or second booster dose.

The study is one of the first globally to assess the effectiveness of a fourth Covid-19 jab, starting in Salford on April 9, continuing until April 11. Half of the volunteers will receive a Moderna Omicron variant vaccine and the other half will be vaccinated with the commonly used standard Moderna Covid-19 vaccine (Spikevax).

Trial organisers are calling on people to come forward to take part in the study. It is open to people who are yet to receive their first booster dose - those who have received just two primary doses.

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Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust, which operates Salford Royal Hospital, is working with the biotechnology company Moderna, Inc and the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) on the study.

Professor Phil Kalra, principal investigator for the research at Salford Royal, said: “The last two years have demonstrated the vital importance of research to our health and to the NHS. Colleagues across Northern Care Alliance have contributed to dozens of studies into Covid-19, including ones that have identified effective treatments and vaccines, and we are all truly grateful to all the participants, patients and staff who have helped.

"We have seen from the Omicron variant how some existing vaccines may protect less well against new variants, and continued research into which vaccine combinations