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Clinical trials were suspended for the new drug. In response, the shares of AstraZeneca, the company that made the vaccine, collapsed.
The suspension came after at least one of the people who participated in the trial fell ill.
In a statement, AstraZeneca said: “As part of the ongoing global randomized controlled trials of the Oxford coronavirus vaccine, our standard review process caused a pause in vaccination to allow review of the safety date.
“This is a routine action that has to happen whenever there is a potentially unexplained illness in one of the trials, while it is being investigated, ensuring that we maintain the integrity of the trials.
“In large trials, diseases will happen by chance, but they need to be independently reviewed to check this carefully.
“We are working to expedite the review of a single event to minimize any potential impact on the trial schedule.
“We are committed to the safety of our participants and to the highest standards performed in our trials.”
Following the announcement, AstraZeneca’s shares fell nearly eight percent, but then partially recovered.
Tensions over the approval of the vaccine rose after President Trump indicated that it could shorten the regulatory process for its use in the United States.
READ MORE: Repression of the coronavirus – Groups limited to SIX people under new rules
The Government has announced that from Monday social gatherings of more than six people will be outlawed in England.
Those who break this rule face a fine of £ 100 which is doubled for each violation up to £ 3,200.
Boris Johnson is expected to announce additional details at a press conference in Downing Street.
In a statement, the Prime Minister said: “We must act now to stop the spread of the virus.
“Therefore, we are simplifying and strengthening the rules about social contact, making them easier to understand and for the police to enforce.
“It’s absolutely critical that people now abide by these rules and remember the basics: wash your hands, cover your face, keep space for others, and get tested for symptoms.”
Johnson added that any social group of more than six people “runs the risk of being dispersed by the police or fined for non-compliance.”
The new measures were introduced after a sharp rise in reported coronavirus infections in the UK.
On Monday, authorities announced 2,948 additional new cases after 2,988 cases on Sunday.
Britain has seen more confirmed cases and deaths from coronavirus than any other country in Europe.
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