A TEAM of scientists at Oxford University have created a potential vaccine for coronavirus and clinical trials could start as soon as next month.

Researchers from the Jenner Institute and Oxford Vaccine Group, led by Professor Sarah Gilbert, Professor Andrew Pollard, Professor Teresa Lambe, Dr Sandy Douglas and Professor Adrian Hill, began work designing a vaccine for Covid-19 on January 10.

An update posted by the institute on Wednesday said: "The current status is that they have identified a vaccine candidate and are working towards the first clinical testing phase."

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It went on to say the drug is based on a chimpanzee adenovirus vaccine vector (ChAdOx1) and was chosen as the 'most suitable vaccine technology' as it can generate a strong immune response from one dose and it is not a replicating virus, so it cannot cause an ongoing infection in the vaccinated individual.

The post added: "This also makes it safer to give to children, the elderly and anyone with a pre-existing condition such as diabetes."

The Guardian reported yesterday the Oxford researchers were planning a safety trial on humans next month.

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It added that provided it went well, scientists would move directly into a larger trial to assess how effective the vaccine was at protecting against the infection.

A statement from the Jenner Institute today said researchers at Oxford University were working 'with great care, and due haste' in developing a new vaccine for the virus.

It added: "Production is underway and trials could start in late spring.

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"If proven effective, a safe coronavirus vaccine could provide an exit strategy for the pandemic and save lives."

Professor Adrian Hill, head of the Jenner Institute, told the Guardian: "We are conscious that a vaccine is needed as soon as possible and certainly by June-July when we expect a big peak in mortality."

He added: "This is not a normal situation. We will follow all standard trial safety requirements but as soon as we have a vaccine that's working we anticipate there will be an accelerated pathway to get it deployed to save lives.

"The more vaccine we can provide the sooner the better."