ladbible logo

To make sure you never miss out on your favourite NEW stories, we're happy to send you some reminders

Click 'OK' then 'Allow' to enable notifications

Moderna Vaccine Trial Volunteer Says It Felt Like 'Regular Flu Shot'

Moderna Vaccine Trial Volunteer Says It Felt Like 'Regular Flu Shot'

The vaccine comes from US company Moderna, with early data showing it is almost 95 percent effective at protecting people from the virus

Jess Hardiman

Jess Hardiman

A participant in the Moderna coronavirus vaccine trial has said the only side effect he experienced was a 'slightly sore arm', and that it just felt like a 'regular flu shot'.

The vaccine comes from US company Moderna, with early data showing it is almost 95 percent effective at protecting people from contracting the virus.

It is also believed that it may work across all age groups, including the elderly.

Health Secretary Matt Hancock announced yesterday that the UK has secured five million doses of the new vaccine, the 94.5 percent efficacy indicated by its preliminary results was encouraging.

Neal Browning receiving the vaccine earlier this year.
PA

However, the vaccine will not be available until spring, meaning in the meantime all we can do is find out what it's been like for those who have already had it in trials.

Neal Browning, from Bothell in Washington, was the second person ever to receive the jab - which was not tested on animals beforehand, as with other trials.

Browning said he felt the risks were 'minimal' compared to the positive impact it could have globally.

Speaking via video link on Good Morning Britain, he said: "Because I was in the early trial they went ahead and gave us the dose and had us stay in the clinic for an hour or so to make sure there was no really adverse reactions as this had previously not been given to animals, let alone humans.

"The second injection was four weeks later. Both times I experienced no issues other than waking up with a sore arm - very slightly sore - the next morning. Just like a regular flu shot."

ITV

When Browning was asked if he felt nervous about volunteering, he continued: "There's always going to be people that are opposed to vaccination. My mother is a registered nurse, my wife is a registered nurse, so I've grown up in and around medicine all of my life.

"I did the research. They produced reams of documents explaining how this works, what it does. The risks seem minimal compared to what the benefits to the world could do.

"There's no chance of actually catching Covid-19 from this because there's no part of the virus in this vaccine."

Moderna has said it plans to apply to get approval to use the vaccine in the next few weeks, following the successful trial - although it is believed that it will not be available in the UK until spring.

The UK has also ordered 40 million doses of the Pfizer and BioNTech vaccine, with results from clinical trials indicating it is 90 percent effective.

Featured Image Credit: PA

Topics: World News, News, vaccine, Coronavirus