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A Canadian scientist working on a vaccine to treat the coronavirus outbreak says it could take up to three years before it reaches the people who need it. And, if the coronavirus outbreak is anything like that of SARS, there may not even be a need for the vaccine by then.

Scientists at the International Vaccine Centre (VIDO-InterVac) at the University of Saskatchewan began work on developing the vaccine when the novel coronavirus was first announced. However, Darryl Falzarano, a research scientist at the centre, said that it could take up to a year before the vaccine is deemed ready for clinical trials, and a couple more before it’s distributed to the regions in need.

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“There’s no pre-existing information,” the virologist said. “It’s related to SARS and SARS-like viruses that have been found in bats, but, on it’s own, its something unique and new.”

As of Thursday, the virus has killed 170 people and has infected more than 8,000 people in mainland China. Canada has confirmed three cases of the coronavirus.