The first couple to participate in COVID-19 vaccine trials in Wuhan, central China’s Hubei province, returned home on April 5 after a 14-day isolation and medical observation period.

The certificate of appreciation awarded by the COVID-19 vaccine research team to Zhang Jing and her husband. (Photo provided by Zhang Jing)

Zhang Jing and her husband Zhao Wei were among the 108 Chinese volunteers who had been injected with an experimental vaccine for COVID-19 in the first clinical trial of its kind in the country.

They were awarded a certificate of appreciation by the COVID-19 vaccine research team for their contribution to the first stage clinical trial for the vaccine. Medical teams will pay the couple regular visits over the next six months.

“We will work to support our family after returning home. It’s not an earth-shattering story,” said Zhang Jing, a 32-year-old nurse.

Zhang Jing (L) and Zhao Wei (R) receive the vaccine by injection. (Photo/He Xiaogang)

On Jan. 22, while driving from Wuhan to their home in Anlu, Zhang learned about the epidemic outbreak in the city. When she heard that medical workers had come to Wuhan from across the country to help fight against the virus, she decided to join the battle.

On Feb. 6, Zhang returned to her post with her husband serving as her driver. When the couple received a text message on March 17 looking for healthy adults aged between 18 and 60 to volunteer for vaccine trials, they signed up to take part, and were eventually selected for the experiment.

“What’s there to be afraid of?” replied Zhang when asked by her husband whether she was worried about the consequences of her decision.

“I believe in our country,” Zhang said, adding that she also has faith in the research team led by Chen Wei, a member of the Chinese Academy of Engineering.