Scientists expect coronavirus vaccine breakthrough by summer with Brits at front of queue for 100million jabs

BRITISH scientists working on a coronavirus vaccine have said they will know by early summer if it works.

Human trials of the Oxford University jab began last week.

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Now, the team has struck a deal with pharmaceutical giant AstraZeneca for a huge roll-out of the vaccine at cost price.

The company has pledged to produce 100million doses this year if the trials prove positive.

And it has promised to put the UK at the front of the queue for early access to millions of jabs.

Sir John Bell, Regius Professor of Medicine at Oxford University, said several hundred volunteers had already been given the experimental injection.

“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.”

Professor David Salisbury, former director of immunisation at the Department of Health, commented: “If the Oxford vaccine is shown to be safe and effective by the end of the year, and the UK could access 100million doses at that time, then this would be of extraordinary importance in protecting our population — assuming that each person requires two doses.

“If the UK only accessed 50million doses by the same time, even that would be of huge benefit for the at-risk individuals, health and social care and other essential service workers.”

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