OREANDA-NEWS. On March 16, American specialists began testing the first experimental vaccine against the new coronavirus.

According to Associated Press, the first injection was made at the Kaiser Permanente Washington Health Research Institute located in Seattle (Washington State). The vaccine named mRNA-1273 was developed by the National Institutes of Health and Massachusetts-based biotechnology company  Moderna Inc. The participants in the experiment have no chance of becoming infected, since the injections do not contain coronavirus. This is just the beginning of the series of tests needed to demonstrate that the vaccine is safe and effective. If further research is successful, the vaccine may be available for widespread use within 12–18 months.

According to Associated Press, in addition to this vaccine, Inovio Pharmaceuticals is currently developing its drug. The tests of the latter are expected to begin in April in the USA, China and South Korea.