'Pretty High' Chance Of Oxford Vaccine Being Rolled Out Before End Of Year, Says Lead Scientist

The chances of the University of Oxford’s Covid-19 vaccine being rolled out by the end of this year are “pretty high”, according to the lead researcher of the jab.

​

Sarah Gilbert, professor of vaccinology at the university, emphasised that multiple vaccines – made using different technologies – will be needed to tackle the pandemic.

The jab from Oxford and pharmaceutical giant AstraZeneca is yet to be approved for use in the UK, with the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) still reviewing trial data.

When asked about the chances of receiving the jab by the end of the year, Prof Gilbert told the BBC’s Andrew Marr Show: “It depends on the age group you’re in and the JCVI (Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation) prioritisations.

“I think the chances are pretty high. But we do need multiple vaccines, all countries need multiple vaccines, the world needs multiple vaccines and we need vaccines made using different technologies, if that’s possible.”

She said this was due to companies potentially encountering problems with the supply of raw materials as doses are produced, which could slow down vaccine rollout if other jabs are not available.

“So having multiple shots on goal, multiple irons in the fire, is what we really need,” she added.

AstraZeneca has joined a trial exploring whether a combination of its vaccine candidate and the Russian Sputnik V jab can offer improved protection from the virus.

Source