A COVID vaccine could be ready for distribution by as early as Christmas, after reaching its “last mile” of development, reports suggest

A COVID vaccine could be ready for distribution by as early as Christmas, after reaching its “last mile” of development, reports suggest.

The government has already bought up 40 million doses of the drug, from German firm BioNtech and backed by pharmaceuticals giant Pfizer, according to The Times.

Each person would need two doses of the vaccine, meaning up to 20 million people could be inoculated.

It is one of six vaccines currently in trials, including one developed by Oxford University, that the government has secured early access to.

Pfizer said it hopes to have produced 100 million doses globally by the end of the year if it passes trials, with a further billion doses made in 2021.

The vaccine must pass safety trials before it can be considered for use, which means it will not be ready until the third week of November.

Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla told The Times: “We have reached the last mile.

“Let’s all have the patience required for something so important for health and the global economy.”W

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Meanwhile, the national clinical director of Scotland has said Scots could also be vaccinated against COVID-19 by Christmas.

Jason Leitch told the BBC’s Drivetime With John Beattie that while officials do not expect a vaccine “in days” they are receiving encouraging vaccine news.

Beattie said: “London hospitals have been told to be on standby for this Oxford Astra vaccine by Monday 2 November.”