Global trials continue in race to develop safe jab
SEVERAL vaccine trials continue globally as countries race to find a jab.
The UK’s Oxford University and AstraZeneca trial is currently one of 10 around the world in phase three, with experts suggesting a vaccine could be ready shortly after Christmas.
America’s Johnson & Johnson programme is also in the final phase three and involves 60,000 adults in multiple countries.
They are testing the safety and effectiveness of a single dose versus a placebo.
Another vaccine, produced by US biotechnology company Novavax, launched a larger phase three trial recently.
As part of the trial, up to 10,000 adults in the UK will be immunised over four to six weeks, in partnership with the government’s Vaccines Taskforce.
Pfizer, which is working with Germany’s BioNTech, has released videos and images of hundreds of thousands of vaccine doses which could be available by the New Year.
The US giant hopes to make 100 million doses available this year, of which 40 million are set for the UK.
The firm’s bosses will apply for emergency US approval next month.
Russia, the first country to grant regulatory approval for a novel coronavirus vaccine, has spent months testing its Sputnik V vaccine.
A phase three trial involving 40,000 participants is underway in Moscow.
Preliminary results are expected to be published early next month.
China’s BBIBP- CorV vaccine is being developed by the Beijing Institute of Biological Products and is one of three in phase three in the country.