Government’s Chief Scientific Officer cautions against relying on a coronavirus jab

The government’s chief scientific adviser has issued words of warning over the new coronavirus vaccine with human trials set to start later this week.

Sir Patrick Vallance has cautioned that even if there is evidence that the new Covid-19 jab can protect against the virus it could take considerably longer to ensure that it is safe.  

It comes as the coronavirus death toll in the UK rose by another 596, taking the total number of fatalities to 16,060 – a figure that still does not include deaths in care homes or the community.

Sir Patrick issued his warnings as researchers at Oxford University prepare to begin the latest round of trials within the coming days.

It is hoped that they could have results on the vaccine’s success rate as early as September.

But speaking to the Guardian, Sir Patrick said: ‘All new vaccines that come into development are long shots. Only some end up being successful.

‘Coronavirus will be no different and presents new challenges for vaccine development. 

‘This will take time and we should be clear it is not a certainty.’

It is thought that emergency legislation could allow high-risk groups, including frontline health-care workers, to receive the jab before it is fully licensed. 

But there is some concern that the vaccine may alter immune systems and could ultimately prove to be more dangerous. 

He added: ‘A vaccine has to work but it also has to be safe. 

‘If a vaccine is to be given to billions of people, many of whom may be at a low risk from Covid-19, the vaccine must have a good safety profile. 

‘With Covid-19 we need to understand more about the immune response.’ 

Sir Patrick’s warnings echo sentiments made by several other senior figures in recent days.  

Professor Sarah Gilbert, who is one of the scientists leading efforts to make the breakthrough vaccine, told the BBC’s Andrew Marr Show: ‘That’s why we have to do trials to find out. The prospects are very good but it is clearly not completely certain.’

Prof Gilbert said that her team has not immunised anyone yet but they hope to start clinical trials towards the end of next week.

‘We are waiting for the final safety tests to be done on the vaccine and the final approvals to be given.’

In the meantime, permission has been given to recruit volunteers, take blood tests, explain the process and check their health status, she said.

‘By the time we have all the approvals for the vaccine ready, we should have a good pool of volunteers to draw from and we should be able to get going quite quickly.’ 

Cabinet minister Michael Gove, who was speaking on the same programme, issued a similar warning and pointed out that vaccines had never been developed for a number of diseases.

‘I don’t think it’s the case that anyone should automatically assume a vaccine is a dead cert to come soon,’ he said.

Public Health England are currently running animal trials on macaques and ferrets at the Porton Down research site in an attempt to asses the potential risks.  

Officials are currently drawing up a three-stage ‘traffic light’ plan which will steer the UK out of lockdown in waves.

But within these proposed guidelines the elderly and vulnerable would remain ‘shielded’ until a vaccine is widely available which could be another 18 months from now.