UK volunteers could be given first dose of potential coronavirus vaccine next week
SCIENTISTS tonight hailed a Covid-19 breakthrough as the first human trials of a vaccine begin next week.
UK volunteers will be given the first dose of a potential coronavirus vaccine within days — and a million doses may be available by September.
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Experts at the University of Oxford hope to have a coronavirus vaccine ready for clinical trials soon.
Sarah Gilbert, a professor of vaccinology who is leading the team, said a vaccine could be available for use by the general public by the autumn.
She said: “Personally, I have a high degree of confidence. And, I think, it has a very strong chance of working.”
Asked when the first dose of the vaccine might be delivered to a trial volunteer, chief investigator Professor Andrew Pollard said it depended on when the last part of the testing from the manufacturing ended.
He added: “The first dose should be within the next week or so. We’ll confirm as soon as we can.”
Another 847 deaths were announced today — taking the UK toll to 14,576.
Earlier the Government announced Britain’s search for a Covid vaccine will be turbocharged with a multi-million pound funding boost.
Ministers unveiled the 21 projects which will get a slice of the £14million to help find a way out of the deadly pandemic.
'AS SOON AS PRACTICALLY POSSIBLE'
And they unveiled a new, national Covid hit squad of boffins to lead the mission to find a vaccine and cure.
The new taskforce will be led by Chief Scientific Adviser Sir Patrick Vallance and Deputy Chief Medical Officer Professor Jonathan van Tam.
Sir Patrick said: “We need to back lots of horses to be in a great position to access the vaccine when it occurs.”
The team will tear up red tape and get cash quickly to the nation’s army of researchers so a vaccine can be found and scaled up to mass quantities quickly.
Health Secretary Matt Hancock said: “We’re doing everything possible to save lives and beat this disease, and that includes working flat out with businesses, researchers and industry to find a vaccine as quickly as possible.
“The UK is world-leading in developing vaccines. We are the biggest contributor to the global effort - and preparing to ensure we can manufacture vaccines here at home as soon as practically possible.”
Among those getting extra cash is an Oxford University team trialling the use of an anti malaria drug as treatment for Covid-19.
GP surgeries across the UK are being urged to take part in the ground-breaking trial to see if the drug can help speed up recovery in the sick.
Imperial College London will get extra cash for testing a vaccine against coronavirus that aims for the body to produce more protective antibodies.
The UK is world-leading in developing vaccines. We are preparing to ensure we can manufacture vaccines here at home as soon as practically possible.
Matt Hancock
And Public Health is getting funding to study how the virus jumps from person to person, and clings on to fabrics for hours.
UK Research and Innovation Chief Executive, Professor Sir Mark Walport said: “The research community’s response to the Covid-19 crisis has been outstanding.
“In a matter of weeks, researchers have formed projects to develop potential vaccines, repurpose existing drugs and explore the potential for new medicines, and to examine how the virus is transmitted and causes wide variation in symptoms.
“Pre-clinical trials of vaccines and clinical trials of drugs are already underway.
“The pace at which this work has been carried out is tribute to the UK’s world-class research base and its dedication to the fight against this disease.”
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Meanwhile the medical regulator sparked anger after ordering hospital staff to reuse single-use protective kit amid fears gown stocks were hours from running out.
London Mayor Sadiq Khan sparked confusion by warning the UK risked being “an outlier” if ministers did not order the public to wear masks.
And Transport Secretary Grant Shapps warned Brits against booking summer hols, saying areas of life could face restrictions even after lockdown.
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