Pharmacists should encourage patients, customers and colleagues to take part in clinical research that examines the real-world performance of the Covid-19 vaccines, says research pharmacist Gavin Dobson of MEMO Research, which is running the VAC4COVID study.

An unprecedented UK-wide vaccination programme is now underway to combat Covid-19 disease. Many pharmacists are already contributing to the wide range of measures being used to reduce Covid-19 in our communities.

Another way that pharmacists can play a role in reducing the harm caused by Covid-19 is to encourage patients, customers and colleagues to take part in clinical research. MEMO Research from the University of Dundee has launched the VAC4COVID study to monitor the real-world performance of Covid-19 vaccines being used in the UK.

By taking part in the VAC4COVID study, people can help scientists and doctors understand people’s health experiences after vaccination and support public confidence in Covid-19 vaccines.

Like all medicines, vaccines must meet rigorous quality, safety and efficacy standards before being approved but ongoing research is needed to fill any gaps in the knowledge obtained from clinical trials. It is important that these studies report any safety or lack of effectiveness signals in real time, so that action can be taken promptly my medicines regulators and vaccine providers. MEMO Research is working closely with the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency to inform them of any significant findings.

Many thousands of people are needed to take part in VAC4COVID to detect if there are any unexpected, rare conditions linked to vaccination. Participants are asked to share health information before and after vaccination via a secure website.

Members of the public are invited to sign up on the VAC4COVID study website. The website is simple to use and provides a user-friendly way to report diagnoses and symptoms. Participants will be contacted by email at regular intervals before and after vaccination to invite them to record any new vaccinations or significant health events.

Anyone in the UK aged 18 years or over with an email address and a computer, tablet or smartphone, can join the study. Ideally, people should join before their first vaccination, but sign-ups are encouraged at any point before or after Covid vaccinations. Even people who do not plan to get vaccinated are encouraged to join.