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人类挑战研究（Human challenge study）指在严格受控且全程监测的条件下，人为将健康志愿者暴露于传染性微生物的研究。此类研究旨在解析传染病的致病机制，并为疫苗研发提供了关键支撑。2020年初，英国启动了针对新型冠状病毒（SARS-CoV-2）的人类挑战研究可行性探索工作。鉴于公众对此类研究的高度关注，以及潜在风险与收益的复杂性，在该类研究的设计与审批阶段纳入公众意见至关重要，且研究者与伦理委员会需对公众承担问责职责。本团队于2020年10月开展了一项混合方法研究，包含针对2441名英国成年人的线上调查，以及针对57名英国成年人的深度虚拟焦点小组访谈，旨在探究英国公众对于在本国开展新型冠状病毒人类挑战研究的态度。本数据集存档包含以下内容：1. 与线上调查相关的文档：调查参与者需观看的调查动画、调查配套文书（含邀请函、参与者知情告知单与知情同意书、调查结束提示信息）、调查数据（不含人口统计学信息）；2. 与焦点小组访谈相关的文档：参与者知情告知单、焦点小组讨论指南。