A leading Chinese health official said a coronavirus vaccine could be used in an emergency until September.
Dr. Gao Fu, head of the Chinese Center for Disease Control, says this means that a stab could be developed in time to fight a second wave of infections.
Scientists around the world are looking for a vaccine that is effective against Covid-19, which is widely regarded as the only long-term way to contain the deadly insect.
The World Health Organization estimates that the search for a vaccine will take 18 months.
Dr. However, Gao, a leading virologist, is confident that China can start rolling out before the end of the year, reports the South China Morning Post.
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If the trials are successful, the shocks would initially be given to health workers, but could be open to the public early next year.
Speaking to the China Global Television Network, Dr. Gao: “These newly developed vaccines, which are still in clinical phase two or three, could be used for some specific groups of people, such as healthcare workers.”
The announcement is believed to be the first time that China has set a timetable for its efforts to develop a vaccine against Covid-19 that has now killed nearly 200,000 people worldwide.
Dr. Gao says the country that claims to have two batches for clinical trials and a third for development is spearheading global research efforts.
It comes after a city of 10 million people in China yesterday issued new blocking measures after an increase in coronavirus cases.
Harbin now has China’s largest Covid-19 outbreak after the highly contagious virus was first discovered in Wuhan late last year.
A new group of at least 70 cases has been linked to a 22-year-old student who unwittingly spread the killer bug after returning from New York, officials say.
Meanwhile, Oxford University researchers began human trials for another Covid-19 vaccine on Thursday, and Imperial College will begin two clinical trials shortly.
Sarah Gilbert, professor of vaccination science who heads the Oxford project, previously said she was “80% confident” that her team’s efforts will prove effective by the fall.
More than 800 volunteers will take part in trials in the coming weeks.
Health Secretary Matt Hancock has pledged £ 20 million for Oxford University efforts and a further £ 22.5 million for the Imperial College team.
Mr. Hancock says the UK will put “everything we have” into the development of a vaccine and will be “at the forefront” of global efforts.
“We have spent more money searching for a vaccine worldwide than any other country, and despite all efforts around the world, two of the leading vaccine developments are taking place here at home – in Oxford and Imperial,” he said.
Several other human vaccine trials are ongoing in the United States.
Moderna and Inovio have started their studies, while several other research groups have expressed interest in introducing studies in the coming weeks.
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