A VACCINE may not protect us from the coronavirus as the threat of the killer bug will last for the “forseeable future”, experts have warned.
The grim warning comes as a further 888 people died in hospital from the virus today, bringing the total number of deaths above 15,000 and infections have climbed to 114,217.
David Nabarro, professor of global health at Imperial College London and an envoy for the World Health Organisation on Covid-19, said we are going to have live with the “constant threat” of the virus as it can’t be assumed a vaccine will be developed soon.
Mr Nabarro told The Observer: “You don’t necessarily develop a vaccine that is safe and effective against every virus.
“Some viruses are very, very difficult when it comes to vaccine development – so for the foreseeable future, we are going to have to find ways to go about our lives with this virus as a constant threat.
“That means isolating those who show signs of the disease and also their contacts. Older people will have to be protected.
“In addition hospital capacity for dealing with cases will have to be ensured. That is going to be the new normal for us all.”
The professor’s warning comes as scientists have said they are close to finding a vaccine.
Experts have said mass testing and developing a vaccine were the keys to getting out of lockdown.
Scientists have hailed a Covid-19 breakthrough as the first human trials of a vaccine begin next week.
UK volunteers will be given the first dose of a potential coronavirus vaccine within days — and a million doses may be available by September.
Experts at the University of Oxford hope to have a vaccine ready for clinical trials soon.
Sarah Gilbert, a professor of vaccinology who is leading the team, said a vaccine could be available for use by the general public by the autumn.
She said: “Personally, I have a high degree of confidence. And, I think, it has a very strong chance of working.”
Asked when the first dose of the vaccine might be delivered to a trial volunteer, chief investigator Professor Andrew Pollard said it depended on when the last part of the testing from the manufacturing ended.
He added: “The first dose should be within the next week or so. We’ll confirm as soon as we can.”
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