Professor Luke O'Neill says vaccines are like "atom bombs" against coronavirus - but work is still underway on a 'plan B'.

The Trinity College immunologist said he believes regulators in the US and EU are 'bound to approve' the Pfizer vaccine, after the UK government gave it the green light.

Following the British government's decision, attention has turned to when it will be approved here.

EU regulators are due to meet on December 29th at the latest to assess the vaccine - but the Taoiseach has said it could be earlier than that depending on progress.

Professor O'Neill told The Pat Kenny Show a joint announcement by EU and US regulators could send a particularly strong message.

    

He observed: "The [US] FDA is the biggest agency in the world... if they're approving it, why wouldn't the [European Medicines Agency] roll in behind on the same day even and approve it jointly? I've heard a rumour that may happen.

"These vaccines... will stop people dying and getting very sick - that's what the trials are telling us, anyway.

"The sooner you approve it, the less problems you'll have in terms of people's health. There's pressure on them, really, to approve soon to save more lives - especially in the States where things are really bad."

He said there will be people asking whether the UK regulators moved too quick, but he said there are "very diligent people" overseeing the process there too so it's likely other countries will follow quite quickly.

'Vaccines are the atom bombs'

While attention is very much focused on a vaccine, many have also asked if there are any alternatives available to halt the spread of the highly infectious virus.

Professor O'Neill said while we're happy with the vaccines now, it's still a work in progress and there are other approaches still being worked on.

He said: "The vaccines are the atom bombs... we've now invented a fantastic weapon to use against this enemy.

"We have other weapons as well, of course - with distancing, mask wearing and so on. We've also got these antibody therapies.

"Plan B is the antibodies... the therapies in hospitals, which are massively advancing in hospitals. There are over 1,000 trials running on other approaches... they will help definitely as well."

Vaccine rollout

In terms of a vaccine rollout in Ireland, Professor O'Neill says we don't yet know the full details - but he doesn't have any worries about the taskforce that's been put in charge of planning.

Professor Brian MacCraith - former president of DCU - is in charge of the taskforce, and Professor O'Neill said you 'couldn't have a better guy' leading the effort.

The Trinity immunologist said: "I've known him for years... he's an engineer, so he will be very systematic.

"Clearly it's a very complicated thing... but it is possible to vaccinate five million people.

"The big question we have at the moment is will GPs do it, or will it be done through the centres that might be set up specifically for the purpose?"

He said it's also logical that the vaccine would be prioritised for those most at risk.

Based on the picture emerging internationally, Professor O'Neill explained: "They'll begin with the over 80s, then they'll move to the over 70s, 60s, 50s, 40s, and all the way down. It might make three or four weeks per age group... none of this has been described in detail yet, but it's that kind of thing.

"The healthcare workers will be front and centre, because they're getting infected on the frontline... they get vaccinated first as well. Then the care homes and workers in care home are very important... then it gradually gets rollout to everyone."