COVID-19 vaccine by Oxford University is in the final phase of human trials

The University of Oxford, one of the leading contenders in developing a Covid-19 vaccine, has reached the final stage of clinical trials. 

The contagious coronavirus has infected more than 95 lakh people around the world and WHO is expecting a tally of 1 crore within the coming week. Scientists at the University of the Witwatersrand have started the first clinical trial in South Africa.

The vaccine is made from a virus called ChAdOx1 — a weakened and non-replicating version of a common cold virus (adenovirus) that causes infections in chimpanzees, that has been genetically changed so that it is impossible for it to grow in humans.

The vaccine has been developed to contain the multiplication of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein in humans. It will be given to 10,260 adults and children in the next stage in the UK.

If the final stage gives a positive outcome, the vaccine will hit the market by the end of this year(October), making it the first vaccine ever produced to fight Covid-19.