Oxford University scientists are to begin human trials of a potential coronavirus vaccine next week, reports the Independent.
The researchers are confident they can get jab for the incurable disease rolled out for millions to use by autumn.
Tests of the experimental jab on different animals have shown promise - and the next step is to use it on humans to prove it is safe.
The Oxford team are one of hundreds worldwide racing to develop a Covid-19 jab, which experts fear could take 18 months.
More than 70 vaccines are currently in development, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).
Three different groups - one in China and two in the US - have already began trials on humans.
The Oxford team has tested the vaccine successfully on several animal species.
Their project has recruited 510 people, ranging from 18 to 55 years old, to take part in the trials, said lead researcher Professor Adrian Hill.
“We are going into human trials next week. We have tested the vaccine in several different animal species,” he added.
“We have taken a fairly cautious approach, but a rapid one to assess the vaccine that we are developing.”
Professor Sarah Gilbert, a vaccinologist at Oxford, has said she is “80%” confident it will be a success.
There is now hope that the jab, developed by the clinical teams at the Jenner Institute and Oxford Vaccine Group, could be ready from as early as September.
Speaking to the BBC World Service, Hill explained they're trying to raise money to scale up the manufacturing of the vaccine.
He said: 'We're a university, we have a very small in house manufacturing facility that can do dozens of doses. That's not good enough to supply the world, obviously.
The UK’s chief scientific adviser Sir Patrick Vallance has said it would be “very lucky” if a coronavirus vaccine was widely available within a year.
