Vaccines Won't Be Rolled Out Until Spring At Earliest

The UK Government’s chief scientific adviser yesterday warned it is “unlikely” a coronavirus vaccine will be available for widespread use until the spring.

- Amanda Evans

Sir Patrick Vallance said the first vaccines are being manufactured now but played down hoped of stopping the disease completely.

Giving evidence to a parliamentary committee, he said only smallpox had ever been completely eradicated. He added: “It’s unlikely we’ll have a Covid vaccine for any sort of widespread use in the community before at least spring next year.”

Vallance also warned that treating Covid-19 may become more like seasonal flu in future.

He said: “It is unlikely we will end up with a truly sterilising vaccine that completely stops infection.”