PEOPLE in Northern Ireland are being urged to help in the search for a Covid-19 vaccine by signing up to a research registry.
It is hoped large numbers will be recruited into trials over the coming months as efforts continue to develop an effective vaccine.
It is part of the UK government’s Vaccine Taskforce, in partnership with the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR), NHS Digital and the Northern Ireland, Scottish and Welsh governments.
Dr Janice Bailie from the Public Health Agency said: "Health researchers are currently working to find a vaccine for Covid-19, but without the help of members of the general public willing to participate in vaccine trials, this work will not be able to succeed.
"The NHS Covid-19 vaccine registry allows people to register their interest and be potentially contacted with an offer to participate in clinical studies.
"You can sign up to give permission for researchers to contact you about taking part in Covid-19 vaccine studies.
"By collecting details about people who are interested in taking part in vaccine studies, the registry service will help cut down the time it takes to find volunteers for vaccine studies.
"This will help us to carry out studies and find a vaccine faster."
Health minister Robin Swann said: "It is vital that the people of Northern Ireland play their part in this important initiative.
"I would like everyone to consider signing up to this register so that researchers and the public here can contribute to the global effort to find a vaccine for Covid-19 and help save lives in the future."
To register visit nhs.uk/researchcontact.
