“If data from Phase III trials shows the vaccines are effective and safe, the first vaccines could be approved at the beginning of the year, possibly with conditions attached,’’ he said. The coronavirus has infected more than 22 million people worldwide since first being detected in China late last year. Several companies, including Moderna, AstraZeneca, and Pfizer Inc, say they, each, expect to make more than one billion doses of a vaccine next year. German biotechnology firm CureVac has not ruled out a speedy approval process for its prospective vaccine and expects to have it on the market by mid-2021. Russia has said the vaccine will be rolled out by the end of this month.

Source: Punch August 19, 2020 07:07 UTC