WHO says it hopes to introduce a COVID-19 vaccine by January 2021

COLOMBO (News 1st): "There may be some COVID-19 vaccines available by the 1st quarter of 2021, for the most vulnerable groups in the world," the World Health Organization said.  Chief Scientist of the World Health Organization Dr. Soumya Swaminathan made these remarks, during a press briefing today. "In early 2021 we are likely to make decisions based on the data we collect in the clinical trials.  Somewhere in the 1st quarter of 2021, there may be some vaccines available in the world for the most high-risk groups in countries across the world ..." Chief Scientist Dr. Soumya Swaminathan said. In Ratnapura yesterday, Minister of Health Pavithra Wanniarachchi said the World Health Organization had informed her to be prepared to use a COVID-19 vaccine. "The world health organization said a vaccine to combat COVID-19 is ready and informed us to be prepared to use this in the country," Health Minister Pavithra Wanniarachchi said. She added that however the WHO has not informed the Sri Lankan authorities clearly as to what the vaccine is.