Scientists are hopeful that a million doses of a vaccine for Covid-19 could be available by September. The first human trials of a jab which is being developed at the University of Oxford are set to begin next week.
Although it is too early to say if it will be safe or effective, Professor Sarah Gilbert, who is leading the research, has previously said she is 80% confident it will be successful. "This is my view, because I've worked with this technology a lot, and I've worked on the Mers-vaccine trials, and I've seen what that can do," the vaccinology professor said. "I think it has a very strong chance of working." A total of 500 volunteers aged between 18 and 55 have been recruited to take part in early and mid-stage trials.