Maryland officials warn of lengthy timeline for coronavirus vaccine

MARYLAND — With no end to pandemic in sight, leading Maryland health officials and lawmakers say they believe it might take another six to eight months before a coronavirus vaccine can be distributed.

The legislature’s panel on COVID-19 met on Wednesday, for an update on preparations for distributing a vaccine. Senate President  Bill Ferguson says he spoke with one of the principal investigators at Johns Hopkins University, who is working on a vaccine, which is now in its third phase.

Ferguson says while there has been remarkable progress, the nation is still at least six to eight months from emergency approval of a vaccine before there will be distribution.