Lockdown diary: day 29

Great news that trials are to begin in Oxford into a potential coronavirus vaccine on Thursday, according to a statement today ealth Secretary Matt Hancock. ,

He said that the government will "throw everything" at efforts to stop the virus. 

"In normal times, reaching this stage would take years," Matt Hancock said, adding how he is "very proud" the University of Oxford was able to make such progress. He praised the “rapid progress” being made into vaccines by scientists at Oxford and Imperial College London. 

He added that the UK has "put more money than any other country into the global search for a vaccine" and that of all the efforts around the world, "two of the leading vaccine developments are taking place here at home at Oxford and Imperial". 

Mr Hancock says he has told scientists leading the search he would “back them to the hilt and give them every resource they need” in order to succeed.

I am sure we will all be hoping these efforts produce a safe an effective vaccine. But obviously, it's goint to take some time to establish whether it works and is safe, so I'm not breaking out the champagne just yet.

Keep well.

Stay home; protect the NHS; save lives.


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