A potential coronavirus vaccine being trialled by UK researchers will be rapidly produced in vast numbers if it proves effective.
A not-for-profit partnership was announced between Oxford University, which is leading the trials, and UK-based pharmaceutical giant AstraZeneca. It guarantees large-scale production of the vaccine — and “early access” for Britons.
Health Secretary Matt Hancock tweeted: “The Oxford vaccine is one of the most advanced in the world. Bringing together the best British science and the best of British business will give us the best possible shot at a vaccine.
“The science is uncertain, and no vaccine may work, but this deal gives the UK the best chance we can of a breakthrough that could defeat this awful virus.”
It is the first such partnership to be formed since the Government, which is backing the trial with £20million, launched a Vaccines Taskforce two weeks ago.
Volunteers began receiving the test vaccine last week. Hammersmith and St George’s hospitals in London are also taking part in the trials.
Professor Sir John Bell, of Oxford, said he hoped that some results from the trial would be available by the middle of June. He told the BBC Radio 4’s Today programme: “We also want to make sure that the rest of the world will be ready to make this vaccine at scale so that it gets to developing countries.”
