Human trials begin on coronavirus vaccine at the University of Queensland – ABC News

Human trials have begun for another potential COVID-19 vaccine in Queensland.
Key points:

• 120 Queensland volunteers will be injected with the trial vaccine twice every four weeks
• Dr Paul Young says he hopes the vaccine will be ready in a year’s time
• The Queensland Government has described the vaccine research as “world leading”

One hundred and twenty volunteers in Brisbane will receive their first dose of the potential immunisation which has been developed by the University of Queensland (UQ).
Queensland COVID-19 snapshot:

• Confirmed cases so far: 1,071
• Deaths: 6
• Patients tested: 421,738

Latest information from Queensland Health.
It is one of several clinical trials being conducted around the country, including one other involving Queensland researchers and volunteers.
The trial, which will see people injected with two doses every four weeks, will look at the safety and immune response of the vaccine among volunteers.
Researchers will measure their reactions and volunteers will be monitored over a 12-month period.
Preliminary results of the trial are expected to be released by the end of September.
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said it was an “exciting day” for Queensland.
Researchers hope the COVID-19 vaccine will be ready in 12 month’s time.(Supplied: University of Queensland)
“It’s a very big step … not just for UQ but for Queensland,” Ms Palaszczuk said.
“The work, through UQ and its scientists, is second to none.”
The Queensland Government has previously invested $10 million into the study to fast track its development.
‘Advance production of millions of doses’
Professor Paul Young, a leading researcher at the university, said it was difficult to determine exactly when the vaccine would be ready but they were aiming for 12 month’s time.
“To some degree that’s a hard end point that we can’t define,” Dr Young said.
“The plan is we’re in place by the middle of next year.”
Dr Young said the move to human trials followed an extensive period of pre-clinical testing that researchers had been conducting since February.
“This testing showed that the vaccine was effective in the lab in neutralising the virus and safe to give to humans.”
Dr Paul Young says if human trials go to plan, the manufacturing company will advance the production of millions of vaccine doses.(Four Corners)
Dr Young said their partnership with a manufacturing company meant the vaccine could be available sooner.
“If things go to plan, they’ll rapidly advance production of millions of doses and move the program into later stage clinical testing, regulatory approval, large-scale manufacture and distribution,” Dr Young said.
“We’ll hold a collective breath while we wait to see how the trial goes.”
In a statement, Minister for Innovation Kate Jones described the research to find a vaccine as “world leading”.
“This research is putting Queensland on the map,” Ms Jones said.
“The success of our research has the eyes of the world on Queensland.
“Our vaccine made in Queensland by Queenslanders, could save millions of lives throughout the world.”
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