In the medium term scientists are closing in on a COVID-19 vaccine. Prime Minister Scott Morrison this week announced he had signed a letter of intent with British-Swedish pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca for up to 25 million doses of a new vaccine that has started a 300,000-person phase three clinical trial. It is important not to underestimate the hurdles still to clear before the world has a safe and proven vaccine. Australia must not follow Russian president Vladimir Putin, who has recklessly released a vaccine before final trials are complete.