NIH expects large-scale vaccine tests by July

Having a COVID-19 vaccine by January is “a stretch goal,” but the head of the National Institutes of Health is gearing up for a master experiment to rapidly tell if any really work.

At least four or five possible vaccines “look pretty promising,” and one or two will be ready to begin largescale testing by July with others to follow soon, NIH

Director Francis Collins said in an interview late Thursday.

“Your big challenge now is to go big, and everybody is about ready for that. And we want to be sure that happens in a coordinated way,” Collins said.

The NIH, in partnership with some of the world’s largest pharmaceutical companies, is creating a master plan that vaccinemakers can follow. Collins called it a “very bold plan — a stretch goal if there ever was one,” but one he’s optimistic the science side can help speed.

Despite all the emphasis on speed, Collins stressed that “no corners are going to be cut” on safety.

Worldwide, about a dozen vaccine candidates are in the first stages of testing or poised to begin. Among those getting the most attention are one created by the NIH and Moderna Inc., and a different type created by Britain’s Oxford University.

Separately, the Trump administration is working on how to produce possible vaccines now, a huge gamble before anyone knows which ones will pan out.

President Donald Trump on Friday declared the vaccine program he calls “Operation Warp Speed” will be “unlike anything our country has seen since the Manhattan Project.” The goal is to have 300 million doses available to distribute to Americans by January.

ANDREW HARNIK/AP National Institutes of Health Director Francis Collins says several COVID-19 vaccines in testing look promising.