One hundred scientists are to be working to create 60million doses of a coronavirus vaccine, at a lab in Scotland, which currently at the test stage.

The Valneva lab in Livingston, West Lothian is to be funded by the UK Government.

The Government said if Valneva’s vaccine is proven to be safe and effective in clinical trials, the expanded Livingston lab could potentially supply up to 100 million vaccine doses.

Priority groups, such as health and social care workers and those at increased health risk would be first to receive the vaccine.

There are 25 scientists working on the vaccine at the centre which will increase to 100 in the productions stage to ensure early access if the trials prove successful.

Alok Sharma UK Business Secretary said: “The multi-million-pound up-front investment we have agreed with Valneva today means that their vaccine can be manufactured in quantity right here in Scotland.

“If clinical trials are successful, millions of people in priority groups across the UK will be protected by their life-saving vaccine.”

Kate Bingham, chair of the vaccines taskforce, said: “In order to vaccinate our high-risk populations at the earliest opportunity, the Government has agreed to proactively manufacture vaccines now, so we have millions of doses of vaccine ready if they are shown to be safe and effective. 

“This important investment in Valneva’s Scottish manufacturing plant will not only help us with this, but also ensures we are well-placed as a country to be able to cope with any pandemics or health crises in the future.”

David Lawrence, Chief Financial Officer of Valneva said: "We are working as hard and as fast as possible to develop the vaccine to meet the UK’s needs and indeed to try to address the broader need for a vaccine. We look forward to completing the final supply agreement in the next few weeks.”