Head of UK Covid-19 vaccine taskforce: Slim possibility of vaccine by Christmas

The video discusses the timeline and process for distributing COVID-19 vaccines, focusing on the Oxford and Pfizer BIONTECH candidates. It highlights the need for sufficient infections in studies to statistically prove vaccine efficacy. The role of independent experts in assessing when enough data is available to unblind studies is also covered.

What is the likelihood of having two vaccines ready before Christmas according to the speaker?

• Slim

• Impossible

• Very high

• Moderate

Which two vaccines are mentioned as being in the final stages of their phase three studies?

• Sputnik V and Covaxin

• AstraZeneca and Sinovac

• Oxford and Pfizer BIONTECH

• Moderna and Johnson & Johnson

What is required for the vaccine studies to show statistical protection against infection?

• A large number of volunteers

• Approval from the government

• Sufficient number of infections

• Completion of phase two studies

Who will assess when enough infections have occurred in the vaccine studies?

• The vaccine manufacturers

• The government health department

• Independent experts

• The general public

What is the purpose of unblinding the study in vaccine trials?

• To increase the number of participants

• To determine if the vaccines are effective

• To reduce the cost of the study

• To speed up the approval process