AstraZeneca plc (LSE:AZN) (STO:AZN) (NYSE:AZN) said on Saturday that clinical trials for the potential COVID-19 vaccine AZD1222 have resumed in the UK after clearance from safety authorities.

The investigational vaccine was developed by the University of Oxford and its spin-out company, Vaccitech. Trials were paused on 6 September after a report of dangerous side effects. However, the study participant who suffered the adverse effects had reportedly been suffering neurological symptoms associated with a rare spinal inflammatory disorder called transverse myelitis, City A.M. reported.

The UK's Medicines Health Regulatory Authority (MHRA) has now confirmed that it is safe to resume the trials.

AstraZeneca has entered into agreements to supply almost three billion doses of the vaccine to governments across the world.