Hopes have been raised that Richmond residents may be able to receive a vaccine against Covid-19 from December.

As the town and wider London gets set to enter a Tier 2 lockdown this weekend, Pulse, a publication for GPs, has reported that the chance of the vaccine being ready by the end of the year is "50/50".

The vaccine is being developed by scientists at Oxford University and will be mass produced by AstraZeneca and there is growing optimism that it will gain regulatory approval within 30 days.

Discussions are ongoing between NHS leaders, the British Medical Association and government about who can be vaccinated first against the coronavirus.

Towards the top of the list is care home patients and staff and health care professionals.

In July, Pulse reported that 65 million syringes had been ordered by the government from a single manufacturer in preparation for the vaccine.

Read more: Coronavirus update from Richmond Council leader

A spokesperson for the Department for Health and Social Care said: "The government will do everything needed to roll out a successful vaccine quickly and safely.

advertisement

"An enormous amount of planning and preparation has already taken place including ensuring we have adequate provision, transport, PPE and logistical expertise.

"We are working closely with the NHS and we will use the military in the planning of logistics as necessary, as they have already gone to great lengths to successfully support our operational efforts."

Find us on your favourite social media channel