Dear Colleagues,
We are writing to update you on the work that the Government is doing to encourage volunteers to sign up for COVID-19 vaccine clinical trials, and to ask for your assistance in encouraging more people to sign up.
To date, approximately 270,000 people across the UK have signed up to participate in vital Covid-19 vaccine studies. However, thousands more are needed. People from Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds and vulnerable groups (such as those with chronic diseases and over 65s) are under-represented in trials currently taking place. That is why researchers are today calling on more people from Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds and the over 65s to take part in clinical trials.
In support of this, we would be grateful if you could encourage your constituents, especially those from minority backgrounds and the over 65s, to sign up to the NHS vaccine registry. These volunteers will play a vital role in ensuring that potential vaccine candidates work for all.
Anyone living in the UK can register to take part in the trials. Registering gives permission for researchers to contact volunteers if they think they are a good fit. Once volunteers sign up, they can withdraw at any time. The process takes about 5 minutes to complete and can be done online at: https://www.nhs.uk/sign-up-to-be-contacted-for-research.
Please do write to BEIS if you would like more information on the work that is being carried out to develop a Covid-19 vaccine.
Yours sincerely,
THE RT HON ALOK SHARMA MP
Secretary of State for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy
KEMI BADENOCH MP
Minister for Equalities