A top scientist has said that the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine could prove to be the "holy grail" the world needs - after data showed it appears to cut transmission rates by two thirds.
This could lead to lockdown measures being lifted sooner than many dared to hope, according to Dr Gillies O'Bryan-Tear, former chair at the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Medicine.
It comes as preliminary results of a study by researchers at the University of Oxford found the efficacy from two standard doses of the vaccine administered three months apart is 82.4 per cent.
But it is the fact it also seems to dramatically cut transmission after just one dose that will mean lockdown measures can be lifted sooner, Dr O'Bryan-Tear said.