Human trials of an Italian-developed covid-19 vaccine will begin at Rome's Spallanzani hospital from 24 August, reports Italian news agency ANSA. The news was announced on 7 August by Nicola Zingaretti, the president of the Lazio Region and leader of the centre-left Partito Democratico (PD).

"The first doses of a completely Italian-made vaccine, ready for human testing, have arrived at the Spallanzani," a specialist centre for infectious diseases which has played a central role in battling Italy's coronavirus crisis.