Oxfords Jenner Institute had got a head start following the progress in its clinical trials, is hoping that first few million doses of the COVID-19 vaccine could be made available by September. They have projected months ahead of such a vaccine would be available.

The New York Times (NYT) reported that scientists at Jenner Institute had a promising start on development of the vaccine. It was already proved in previous trials that similar immunization was safe for humans.

According to the study results, tests are scheduled for the COVID-19 vaccine that involves over 6,000 people by May-end. The scientists are hoping to show that the vaccine is not only safe, but it also works. They are considering that vaccine doses could be ready by September after getting the emergency approval from the regulators.

The report stated that last month, researchers at Montanas National Institutes of Health injected some rhesus macaque monkeys with small doses of the Oxford vaccine.

Dr Vincent Munster, the researcher who conducted the test, stated that the animals were exposed to heavy quantities of the virus that is causing the pandemic and had steadily sickened other monkeys in the laboratory. However, after more than 28 days, all six were healthy. He further added that researchers were still investigating the result and will shared it with other scientists in the next week. Subsequently, the results will be referred for a peer-reviewed journal.

Quoting the initial results from Chinese company SinoVac, the NYT article mentioned that immunity in monkeys will not confirm that a vaccine will provide the same degree of protection for humans.

The NYT article stated that coronavirus uses a technology, which rotates around changing the genetic code of a familiar virus, while the vaccine uses a weakened version of a virus to trigger an immune response.

Even though, UK is making advances in developing the virus, their government has cautioned that they have to depend on social distancing measures until next year supposing no vaccine or treatment is found until then.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres had said that the under-trial vaccine for COVID-19 should be considered as global public good and also made affordable with worldwide availability.

Source: ET Healthworld