The primary vaccine trial for the lethal coronavirus has begun, the World Well being Group (WHO) head stated Wednesday.

Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus stated the trial started “just 60 days after the genetic sequence of the virus was shared by China”.

He didn’t say the place the trial is being held.

Whereas the trial is a milestone, well being officers say it should take not less than 12 to 18 months for a vaccine to be obtainable for public use.

On the digital information convention held on the WHO headquarters in Geneva, he stated greater than 200,000 instances of the virus have been confirmed and over 8,000 deaths reported worldwide.

Tedros praised the researchers world wide who he stated are appearing collectively “to systemically consider experimental therapeutics”.

“A number of small trials with completely different methodologies might not give us the clear, robust proof we want about which therapies assist to avoid wasting lives,” he stated.

It was for that reason that the WHO and its companions had been organizing a research in nations wherein a number of the untested therapies are in contrast with one another.

Nations which have confirmed they are going to be a part of the “solidarity trial” embody Argentina, Bahrain, Canada, France, Iran, Norway, South Africa, Spain, Switzerland, and Thailand.

“We all know that many nations now face escalating epidemics and are feeling overwhelmed,” stated Tedros noting that there’s additionally hope.

Nations might do many issues reminiscent of bodily distancing measures – like canceling sporting occasions, concert events, and different massive gatherings which may help sluggish transmission of the virus.

They’ll cut back the burden on the well being system and assist make epidemics manageable, permitting focused and centered measures.

“But to suppress and control epidemics, countries must isolate, test, treat and trace,” Tedro cautioned.

“If they don’t, transmission chains can continue at a low level, then resurge once physical distancing measures are lifted.”

He stated that the WHO continues to advocate that isolating, testing and treating each suspected case, and tracing each contact, should be the spine of the response in each nation.

“This is the best hope of preventing widespread community transmission,” stated Tedros.