AN OXFORD professor is ’80 percent’ confident that the coronavirus vaccine will be a success.

Sarah Gilbert, a professor of vaccinology, is leading the team of researchers and said they have a potential vaccine that is due to begin human trials within two weeks.

She also added the vaccine could be ready by September.

In an interview with The Times, Professor Gilbert said the autumn timeframe is ‘just about possible if everything goes perfectly’.

Read more: Volunteers wanted to sign up to coronavirus vaccine

Some other scientists welcomed the news with ‘cautious optimism’ and highlighted that the investment in production, distribution and delivery would be key to a mass rollout.

While not commenting directly on the Oxford trial, the government’s Department of Health has said if vaccines prove safe and effective in clinical trials, there is a number of manufacturing and supply chain options available to meet the projects demands.

Recovery, which is being co-ordinated at Oxford University, signed up 1,000 patients from 132 different hospitals in its first 15 days and, according to reports, now has almost 3,000 volunteers.