London:Even as researchers at Oxford University have begun testing their potential vaccine against COVID-19 on a small group of human volunteers, they hope to expand the tests soon after getting positive results from the initial trial.
"Oxford University initiated trials of the COVID-19 vaccine on 23rd April 2020 and plans to vaccinate 800 volunteers in the UK over the next month," the Oxford Vaccine Group said.
"If the trial is successful in the UK, then the Oxford team will approach scientists in the Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) and will approach the Government of Kenya for permission to evaluate in Kenya," it added in an update.
Read Also:Indian-American Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal endorses Biden
A vaccine candidate for COVID-19 was identified by researchers from the Oxford Vaccine Group and Oxford's Jenner Institute.
The potential upcoming vaccine, ChAdOx1 nCoV-19, is based on an adenovirus vaccine vector and the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein.
By vaccinating with ChAdOx1 nCoV-19, the scientists hope to make the body recognise and develop an immune response to the Spike protein that will help stop the SARS-CoV-2 virus from entering human cells and therefore prevent infection.