'Small Chance' Oxford Covid-19 Vaccine Will Be Ready By Christmas

The director of the Oxford Covid-19 vaccine trial has said there is a 'small chance' it will be ready by Christmas.

Vaccine trial chief investigator Andrew Pollard told the Science and Technology Committee he is 'optimistic' the success of the trial could be determined before the end of the year, according to Sky News.

PA

Asked if the vaccine would be ready by Christmas, he said: "There is a small chance of that being possible but I just don't know.

"Our trials are only one of many that are going on around the world, a number of which may well report before the end of the year."

In this best case scenario, the NHS is readying itself to administer jabs before Christmas, according to NHS England Chief Executive Sir Simon Stevens.

Speaking to BBC Radio 4's Today programme, he said: "There are over 200 vaccines in development and we believe that we should hopefully get one or more of those available from the first part of next year.

"In anticipation of that we're also gearing the NHS up to be ready to make a start on administering Covid-19 vaccines before Christmas, if they become available.

"We will be writing to GP practices this week to get them geared up to start by Christmas if the vaccine becomes available."

Topics: Coronavirus

Jake Massey

Jake Massey is a journalist at LADbible. He graduated from Newcastle University, where he learnt a bit about media and a lot about living without heating. After spending a few years in Australia and New Zealand, Jake secured a role at an obscure radio station in Norwich, inadvertently becoming a real-life Alan Partridge in the process. From there, Jake became a reporter at the Eastern Daily Press. Jake enjoys playing football, listening to music and writing about himself in the third person.

@jakesmassey