COVID-19 vaccine research

Last updated: 03/11/2022

About vaccines

In the UK, vaccines save thousands of lives every year. They are the most effective way to prevent infectious diseases. Right now, vaccines are helping us to fight COVID-19.

Different vaccines and dose schedules are needed for different groups of people. That’s why in the UK we’re still running a number of different COVID-19 vaccine studies which need more volunteers to step forward.

How you can help

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 NHS COVID-19 Vaccine Research Registry helps cut down the time it takes to find volunteers for vaccine studies. This helps us to carry out studies and find vaccines faster.

You can sign up if you are 18 or over, and live in the UK.

You are not signing up to take part in a specific health study when you use this service. You are letting researchers know you're happy for them to contact you if they think you might be suitable to take part in their studies.

Which vaccine research studies could I be contacted by?

In the UK, the research partner of the NHS is the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR). Vaccine studies that are supported by the NIHR can apply to use the service, and if approved will be able to contact you. You can view studies that are currently approved to use the service and that may contact you:

You can also view a list of NIHR supported coronavirus vaccine studies that are taking place in the UK and looking for volunteers.  Researchers from these studies will be able to apply to use the service and if approved to do so, may contact you if you could be suitable for their study. If they are approved, they will be listed above.

What is expected of me if I volunteer?

The video below, produced by the South West Peninsula Clinical Research Network, explains what is involved when members of the public volunteer to take part in a vaccine study.

Frequently asked questions about vaccine research

To find frequently asked questions you might have around what recent developments mean for the vaccine study you may be taking part in, visit the latest vaccine news page. More general questions and answers can be found on our COVID-19 vaccine FAQ page.

I want to help but don't want to or can't take part in a vaccine study

You might wish to volunteer for another type or more specific COVID-19 research study, or see a full list of health conditions covered by studies on this site.

You can read more about what is health and care research or about giving your permission to take part in research on our site.

More ways to take part

We can only deliver research that saves and improves lives if people like you take part.

Make sure you never miss an opportunity to support studies covering a range of conditions by signing up for our new Be Part of Research newsletter.

Support in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland