Research into Covid-19 across the UK has now seen more than one million participants take part.
According to data released by the NIHR, a total of 1,075,000 people have taken part in Covid-19 research across more than 180 studies.
Of these, more than 100 studies were funded by the NIHR. Those studies equated for more than £108m of funding for Covid-19 research.
Those involved in the research, taking place in all four nations of the UK, included NHS doctors and nurses, NIHR research staff and researchers, regulators, life science companies, research funders, policy makers and members of the public.
Collectively, they have helped enable the UK to be a world leader in Covid-19 research, testing new treatments, vaccine candidates and increasing our understanding of how the virus works.
These discoveries have significantly improved outcomes for people who do get the virus, particularly those most at risk of severe illness and hospitalisation.
Professor Chris Whitty, England’s Chief Medical Officer and co-Lead for the NIHR, said: “Reaching one million participants in Covid-19 research shows the impressive selflessness of people across the UK who have volunteered to take part.
“This research has led to vaccines, better treatments and improved care.
“A huge thank you to everyone who has taken part in, led or enabled the research.”
NHS Chief Executive Sir Simon Stevens added: “During the darkness of this pandemic, NHS clinical researchers, UK scientists and one million volunteer patients have together helped illuminate a more hopeful path for humanity.
“Thanks to their remarkable and selfless work, they have made unique and decisive contributions to therapies and vaccines for our shared global fight against Covid-19.
“It is amazing to consider that more than one million people in this country who have selflessly volunteered to participate in our research will themselves help save over a million lives worldwide."
