Prognosis

Low Chance of Vaccine This Year, Johnson’s Medical Adviser Says

  • Chief Medical Officer Chris Whitty comments to Commons panel
  • Oxford University vaccine has shown early signs of promise

    

Photographer: Anthony Kwan/Bloomberg
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Chris Whitty, U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s senior medical adviser, said there is only a slim chance of an effective coronavirus vaccine being available by Christmas, even as the University of Oxford reported progress on its initiative.

“No one should be under any illusions: the chance of us getting a vaccine before Christmas that actually is highly effective are, in my view, very low,” Whitty told a committee of lawmakers on Tuesday. “Low probability for this winter flu season.”