The head of Germany’s vaccines regulator has disclosed that some groups of people living in Germany could be vaccinated early next year against the corona virus as over half a dozen drugmakers around the world are conducting advanced clinical trials, each with tens of thousands of participants, in order to note the effectiveness and safety of their COVID-19 vaccines before the end of this year.

Head of the Paul Ehrlich Institut, Klaus Cichutek, told newsmen that data from Phase I and Phase II trials showed some vaccines activated an immune response against the coronavirus:

“If data from Phase III trials show the vaccines are effective and safe, the first vaccines could be approved at the beginning of the year, possibly with conditions attached,

“Based on assurances from manufacturers, the first doses for people in Germany will be available at that time, in accordance with the priorities set by the Standing Committee on Vaccination,’’ Cichutek said while making reference to the group that makes recommendations for the use of licensed vaccines in Germany.