A new type of coronavirus vaccine may become available by the end of this year or early next year. Such a forecast on Sunday, August 9, was given by the European Union Commissioner for Health Stella Kyriakides.
“While the projections at this stage are still risky, there are good signs that the first vaccine will be available by the end of this year or early next year,” she was quoted by the German edition of Handelsblatt.
Kyriakides pointed out that the time factor plays a decisive role in countering the spread of coronavirus infection.
“Every month we win in developing a vaccine saves lives and preserves livelihoods,” said the European Commissioner.
According to her, the vaccine is not able to immediately solve all the problems, but its mass production will allow “to gradually return to normal life” when the opportunity to get vaccinated will receive “a critical mass of citizens, especially from risk groups.”
On July 31, the European Commission concluded negotiations with the pharmaceutical company Sanofi to provide EU countries with 300 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine, if it proves its safety and effectiveness. Kyriakides indicated that negotiations with other companies are ongoing.
Mass vaccination against coronavirus infection is planned for October. The vaccine will begin to be given first of all to people who are at risk – medical workers and teachers. Vaccinations for citizens will be free.