Public attitudes to a human challenge study with SARS-CoV-2: a mixed-methods study

Human challenge studies involve the deliberate exposure of healthy volunteers to an infectious micro-organism in a highly controlled and monitored way. They are used to understand infectious diseases and have contributed to the development of vaccines. In early 2020, the UK started exploring the feasibility of establishing a human challenge study with SARS-CoV-2. Given the significant public interest and the complexity of the potential risks and benefits, it is vital that public views are considered in the design and approval of any such study and that investigators and ethics boards remain accountable to the public.

We conducted a mixed methods study comprising online surveys conducted with 2,441 UK adults and in-depth virtual focus groups with 57 UK adults during October 2020 to explore the public’s attitudes to a human challenge study with SARS-CoV-2 taking place in the UK.

This depositary includes:

Documentation relating to the online surveys;

Survey

Animation that survey participants were asked to view

Survey wrappers (invitations, participant information sheet and consent, end of survey messages)

Survey data (demographic information not included)

Documentation relating to focus groups:

Participant Information Sheet

Focus Group Discussion guide