A British scientist has said at least two potential Covid-19 vaccines have already begun human trials while a number of other trials are fairly advanced, but a vaccine is still "months away" from coming on stream.
Professor James McInerney, Head of the School of Life Sciences at the University of Nottingham, said the genetic sequence of the coronavirus became known in January, which has enabled scientists to start examining possible vaccines.
Speaking on RTÉ's Morning Ireland, Prof McInerney said the current wave of the virus will be largely finished by the time a vaccine comes on stream and any vaccine would be about protecting people in the long term.
He said while the timeline of the virus is known to be about two weeks from beginning to end, the number of those who get it and remain asymptotic is unknown.
He added that the only way to get this data would be through widespread random testing.
Prof McInerney said the virus has been incredibly consistent in catching countries unaware.
However, he said, while there are things that countries can do to limit its impact, denialism has allowed it to spread in many countries.
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Professor McInernery pointed to the differences between Ireland and the UK saying it took the British government "a long time to get on board" while officials in Ireland recognised the danger quickly and responded early.
He said there has been an increase in cases and fatalities in the UK over the last three days, but that the rise is lower than expected, which could indicate the start of a slowdown, but said it will take another ten days before the full impact of new restrictions can be seen.
He added that denialism in still strong in parts of the US and Australia.
Earlier this month, US drugmaker Pfizer signed a deal with Germany's BioNTech SE to co-develop a potential vaccine for the coronavirus.
The drugmakers started the collaboration immediately and signed a letter of intent for the vaccine's distribution outside China, they said in a joint statement.
Pfizer and BioNTech are using research and development sites from both companies, including in the United States and Germany, the companies said.
Yesterday, British pharmaceutical company Johnson and Johnson said it will start coronavirus vaccine trials on humans by September this year.
