Covid19 vaccine may never be found, warns UK PM Boris Johnson

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has warned a mass vaccine for the novel coronavirus may be over a year away and, in the worst-case scenario, may actually never be found.

In his foreword to the government's new 50-page guidance on a step by step easing of the lockdown measures in destination to control the spread of the deadly virus, the united kingdom prime minister lays out plans for businesses to steadily start reopening with “COVID-19 Secure” measures of social distancing and for the public to use “good solid British common sense” as the economy is unlocked.

“A mass vaccine or treatment could be greater than a year away,” said Johnson, highlighting the task being done in the UK by scientists at Oxford University and Imperial College London towards this mission.

“Indeed, in a worst-case scenario, we may never look for a vaccine. So our plan must countenance a situation where we are in this, together, for the long term, whilst doing all we are able to in order to avoid that outcome,” he said.

Admitting a vaccine or drug-based treatment is the only “feasible long-term solution”, he said the UK has accelerated this with “promising” vaccine development programmes and a collaboration between Oxford University and pharma major AstraZeneca was a vital step that may help rapidly advance the manufacture of a COVID-19 vaccine when it's ready.

As part of global efforts, he flagged the 388 million pound in aid funding for research into vaccines, tests and treatment, including 250 million to the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations.

“But while we expect a breakthrough, hope isn't an idea,” he said, as he unveiled his arrange for starting to lift lockdown restrictions from this week in phases.

Carrying out a televised address to the country on Sunday night and a statement in Parliament on Monday, the guidance comes into effect in public areas life across England from Wednesday when people will be allowed one-to-one contact with people other than those they live with, so long as they remain outside and two metres apart.

They are permitted to play sport with a friend or family member from outside their household or socialise with them in the open air for the very first time in a lot more than six weeks because the lockdown was imposed.

People are still advised to work from home where possible but start heading into work where necessary, in sectors such as construction and manufacturing, keeping the social distancing norms in place.

Under the step-by-step plan, by the beginning of next month non-essential shops may also reopen, with some hairdressers, pubs and cinemas to follow from July. However, within a COVID-19 Alert System, if infection rates have emerged to be rising again, restrictions will be tightened “possibly at short notice”.

Fines for breaching the brand new rules may also be risen to 100 pound and will double for each and every repeat offence, up to maximum of 3,200 pound.

Johnson said: "I have to ask the country to show patience with a continued disruption to your normal way of life, but to be relentless in pursuing our mission to build the systems we are looking for. The worst possible outcome will be a return to the virus being uncontrollable – with the cost to human life, and – through the inevitable re-imposition of extreme restrictions – the price to the economy. We must stay alert, control the virus, and in doing this, save lives.

“Then, as vaccines and treatment become available, we will move to another new phase, where we will figure out how to live with COVID-19 for the long run without it dominating our lives.”

The devolved administrations of Scotland and Wales are putting their own measures set up and keeping the “stay at home” message in place, instead of switch to the brand new “stay alert” message.

THE UNITED KINGDOM government's latest messaging has come under attack from the Opposition and other parts of society over a feared lack of clarity for everyone.