Professor Paul Griffin, COVID-19 vaccine project co-leader at the University of Queensland, joins Luke Grant for an update of the latest developments in their fight against the pandemic.

UQ says its coronavirus vaccine is ahead of schedule and will be available to Australians by the end of 2021, however, it’s not only producing virus-neutralising antibodies, but it is also proving to be especially effective on the elderly.

The Federal Government has already purchased 51 million units of the locally produced vaccine – enough for each Australian to receive a two-shot booster.

Professor Young says the early indications from the vaccine suggest there are minimal side effects to the jab.

“The early data out of the phase one clinical trial says that our vaccine is safe and well tolerated when given, there’s very little in the way of adverse events on injection of the vaccine and it also induces a strong immune response, particularly in neutralising antibody response,” he says.

“That is equivalent to or in excess of what is seen in patients who have recovered from live virus infection.”

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