Coronavirus vaccine: Australia promises free doses if trial succeeds

Australia says it has secured access to a promising coronavirus vaccine and will be able to offer free doses to its entire population of 25 million people.

The vaccine is being developed by the pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca and Oxford University.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison said if clinical trials are successful, the deal with AstraZeneca would secure "early access for every Australian"

Australia's death toll from the coronavirus stands at more than 400.

The Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine is one of five promising candidates to reach an advanced stage of clinical trials, with countries around the world seeking to secure supplies for their own populations.

[Source: BBC]