Several media outlets have reported that two COVID-19 vaccines entered into a pivotal stage in their trials on Monday, making the possibility of widespread use by the end of the year a possibility.
Moderna Inc. and Pfizer Inc. have enrolled 30,000 people in separate late-stage trials, supported by the Trump administration in order to speed up the development of tools to battle the virus.
Media reports say that if the separate trials succeed, both of the company aim to launch their vaccine by end-2020.
“Although face coverings, physical distancing and proper isolation and quarantine of infected individuals and contacts can help us mitigate COVID-19 spread, we urgently need a safe and effective preventive vaccine to ultimately control this pandemic,” said US Director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Anthony Fauci.
In the United Kingdom, the University of Oxford and pharmaceutical giants Astra Zeneca showed promising results of a COVID-19 vaccine. 1,077 people tested during the trial developed antibodies and T-cells that can fight the virus.
A larger trial is underway with more than 10,000 people set to take part.
In June, Deputy Prime Minister and Health Minister Chris Fearne confirmed Malta will have access to a COVID-19 vaccine as soon as it is made available in Europe.
