Huge ‘thank you’ to Scottish community as UK COVID-19 research passes one million participants

More than one million participants, including over 66,000 people in Scotland, are being thanked for their vital role in COVID-19 research across the UK.

Coinciding with this remarkable milestone, the four UK nations are jointly launching the #ResearchVsCovid ‘thank you’ campaign to celebrate the efforts of participants, researchers and healthcare professionals for their involvement in COVID-19 research.

Research has been a crucial part of the pandemic response – advancing scientific understanding, researching new ways to understand and treat the disease, and guiding the treatment and care of patients, both now and in the future.

The first case of coronavirus in Scotland emerged at the beginning of March 2020. Since then over 120 COVID-19 studies have been delivered across Scotland including drug trials, vaccine trials, testing new diagnostics, clinical studies and observational studies. Supported by NHS Research Scotland and the Chief Scientist Office of Scottish Government, health boards across Scotland have been involved in this research.

Progress has been made possible by members of the public, NHS and university researchers, health and social care professionals, regulators, life science companies and policy makers across the UK and internationally working together.  

These remarkable, collaborative efforts have enabled world-leading research into understanding risk factors for disease, therapeutics such as dexamethasone and tocilizumab, delivery of the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine, and more.

Such discoveries have significantly improved outcomes for people who get the virus, especially those most at risk of becoming severely unwell and hospitalised; and are providing protection against COVID-19 in the shape of the vaccination programme.  

Without such significant support from the public, this vital research would not have been possible.

Dr Gregor Smith, Chief Medical Officer for Scotland said: “Since the advent of COVID-19, people across the UK have come together to fight back and save lives. Researchers quickly set up new studies, staff throughout our NHS made research possible, and patients and the public offered their selfless support. I’m really proud of Scotland’s contribution to these remarkable achievements.

“Thanks to all those involved we have identified treatments, improved care, helped develop vaccines and ultimately saved lives. Whilst we still have challenges, we can begin to see a path out of the pandemic and it is important to say a huge thank you to everyone who has taken part in, led or enabled this research over the last 12 months.” 

To launch the #ResearchVsCovid ‘thank you’ campaign, a series of video thank you messages – to participants, researchers and NHS staff – will be released.

All data correct as of 9th March 2021 

• Across the UK, a total of 1,075,000 participants have taken part in COVID-19 research
• In Scotland, over 66,000 participants have taken part in 123 COVID-19 research studies; with 17,500 participating in over 30 urgent public health (UPH) COVID-19 research studies; and 15,800 in 93 other COVID-19 research studies;

The Office for National Statistics Coronavirus (COVID-19) Infection Survey is a UK wide survey with 33,084 participants in Scotland.

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