A Step Towards COVID-19 Vaccine

The number of coronavirus cases and deaths are becoming deadly every day, the scariest part is that the world has no vaccine to fight against this global pandemic. With fear regarding medication for this virus, the world has something to feel better about during such hard times: the UK will start human trials of a potential coronavirus vaccine from today.

UK Health Minister Matt Hancock announced this news and added that the vaccine is being developed by scientists at the University of Oxford who believe there is an 80 percent chance of success. He also stated that nothing about this process is certain.

The potential COVID-19 vaccine is being developed by the Jenner Institute team at Oxford University under Professor Sarah Gilbert. Along with the human trials, the team has started the production of ten lakh such vaccines and with the trial, these million doses should be ready by September.

We’re delighted with the announcement of further funding for our work on the evaluation of the Covid-19 vaccine. Our teams are preparing for the start of human trials & will at all times prioritise the safety of the trial participants. More info >> https://t.co/zB5t9shEDF https://t.co/471WWzGF3m

— University of Oxford (@UniofOxford) April 21, 2020

For the Oxford vaccine trial, they will involve 510 volunteers aged between 18 and 55 in the first phase and the second phase will have the inclusion of volunteers who belonged to high-risk groups. Seven labs in the world are working with Professor Sarah and her team, one lab being present in India. Also, this vaccine trial is part of a nationwide effort in the UK.

Let’s hope that Oxford’s potential vaccine becomes a success!