Portsmouth associate drug safety unit to study side effects of Covid-19 vaccine
RESEARCH into the safety of a coronavirus vaccine is being undertaken by a university department.
The Drug Safety Research Unit (DSRU) is an associate department of the University of Portsmouth, and has gathered the best team possible from across the UK to study coronavirus vaccinations.
Now, using real-time data, it is monitoring the safety of the Oxford/AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine to measure whether there are any side effects.
The DSRU is enrolling at least 10,000 patients who will be contacted at regular intervals – to ensure any adverse effects can be swiftly remedied.
Professor Saad Shakir, DSRU director, said: “Creating new Covid-19 vaccines so quickly is a triumph for scientists.
‘They have been subject to thorough evaluation of their efficacy and safety by the UK’s regulator, the MHRA.
‘But the development process does not end now. Monitoring the safety and effectiveness of new products once they are being used in ‘real-life’ by the UK population is also an essential component.
‘To offer the greatest protection to public health, these studies must be fully transparent, report quickly in as near real-time as possible and be conducted independently rather than by vaccine manufacturers.’
Professor Shakir added that this study was made even more important due to Covid-19 vaccines being fast-tracked through clinical trials.
The DSRU is recruiting people from the first phase of vaccinations, which includes all those aged over 50, health and social care workers and people who are clinically extremely vulnerable.
A research team will collate and study information provided by participants to explore whether any side effects seen in the study population are likely to be linked to the vaccine.
Professor Shakir said: ‘The public can then be reassured that the vaccine has not only be subjected to rigorous assessment by the UK’s regulator but remains under continuous monitoring so prompt action can be taken if any concerns arise.’The DSRU has gathered a consortium of doctors, pharmacists and scientists from 12 UK universities and NHS trusts to help with the study – and expects to conduct several more active safety studies on other Covid-19 vaccines and treatments as they are authorised for use.