A future coronavirus vaccine might need to be given every 12 months AstraZeneca - which has a large manufacturing base in Macclesfield - has told global business news network CNBC.

The pharmaceutical giant is one of several working on a potential coronavirus vaccine and AstraZeneca CEO Pascal Soriot told CNBC's Squawk Box Europe yesterday (Thurs) that most companies are targeting two injections for the initial vaccination.

AstraZeneca's 'assumption based on what we know from the technology we use with SARS 1', explained Mr Soirot, is that the immunity could last 12 months and maybe up to 18.

"But", he added, "the truth is that we don't know, this virus is very unpredictable."

Late-stage trials are taking place in the UK, Brazil and South Africa and will soon start in the US.

Earlier this month, AstraZeneca's vaccine being developed by Oxford University proved to be 'tolerated and generated robust immune responses' in early-stage human trials.

Should late-stage clinical trials prove successful, the pharmaceutical company has committed to 'broad and equitable access' to the vaccine.

So far, commitments to supply more than two billion doses of the vaccine have been agreed with the UK, US, Europe's Inclusive Vaccines Alliance, the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness, Gavi the Vaccine Alliance and Serum Institute of India.

advertisement

Mr Soriot told CNBC that if the vaccine works: "We will be able to start supplying the vaccine in October/November and our goal is to supply everyone around the world at the same time."