After many months of pain, scientists are giving us reason for cheer

Editorial: Social distancing, coronavirus-secure environments, improved treatments, faster, easier testing and effective vaccination programmes will surely push back against the pandemic in 2021

The Oxford vaccine seems to work via two channels, simultaneously limiting the scale of early infection as well as stimulating the immune response in cells already infected (Getty/iStock)

At a time when the coronavirus pandemic is far from over, and when the virus shows disturbing signs of resurgence in some places, good news is certainly to be cherished. If nothing else, the efforts of brilliant research scientists, often working across national borders and oblivious to commercial considerations, offer us some hope not only some respite from Covid-19, but also liberation from careless and incompetent politicians.

Recently there have been some very encouraging developments. The Oxford Group’s vaccine has shown good progress in its first phase, for example. It is one of 23 clinical trials taking place around the world (with more to follow), and, while all the scientists claim that this is not a race, they may be understating their natural competitive instincts, which is no bad thing in this case. In fact, at least in principle, there may well be more than one “winner”, albeit against a general vaccine failure rate of 90 per cent. One vaccine may be more effective than another, but one might be easier to administer, while another might be cheaper to produce, and another still better for certain target populations.

The Oxford vaccine seems to work via two channels, simultaneously limiting the scale of early infection as well as stimulating the immune response in cells already infected. As a British enterprise there is legitimate pride to be derived from the successful first stage, but no need for chauvinism. The more variety and choice of vaccines the better, and there is no shortage of resources.