It’s been a year since the South Eastern Health & Social Care Trust agreed to take part in the largest COVID Research Project in the world – SIREN. And what a year it has been!
To date 271 staff from within the Trust have become involved in this vital study and have agreed to continue to help fight COVID-19 for another year.
The SIREN Research Project studies COVID-19 immunity levels and the impact of detectable anti SARS-COV2 antibodies on healthcare workers. The purpose of this study is to understand whether prior infection with SARS-CoV2 (the virus that causes COVID-19) protects against future infection with the same virus.
The Principal Investigator SIREN and Consultant Microbiologist, Yuri Protaschik, said, “ I would like to thank all the participants for taking part in this study and the evidence this generates for the UK and World science. Involvement in this research gives answers to the important questions on how long immune protection lasts and also how well our vaccines are performing.”
Yuri added, “Recent analysis from the SIREN participants has shown if you have been infected previously, then get vaccinated, your immune response remains really lasting and very robust.”
As issues around COVID-19 are evolving and key questions still need to be answered, the study has been extended for another year.
With fortnightly PCR testing and monthly blood samples, it has not been an easy task, but our staff have stepped up to the mark to contribute towards this important piece of work.
The SIREN Study Team within the Trust would like to acknowledge the efforts of staff involved in this project, and to thank those for their contribution and participation.