A coronavirus vaccine could be ready as early as autumn, leading scientists behind a major trial say. Oxford University researchers are confident they can roll out a jab for the incurable disease within the next 8 months.

This ‘best case scenario’ is much sooner than was previously touted. Britain’s chief scientific adviser said it would be at least 2021 before a vaccine was ready.
Oxford team, one of the hundreds racing to develop a COVID-19 cure, warned it will be ‘challenging’ if the outbreak peaks before a jab are ready for trials.
With no tests available to identify who has already been infected it could be difficult to find unexposed people to take part in the trial, the researchers say.

More than 500 volunteers aged between 18 and 55 have signed up to the trial and will begin tests towards the end of the month.