Hopes New Zealand can play a part in the race for a COVID-19 vaccine

The Government's allocated 37 million dollars to a vaccine strategy.

That includes 15 million dollars for local scientists to contribute to global research, and 10 million dollars will support research here.

University of Auckland vaccinologist Helen Petousis-Harris says New Zealand has a lot to offer.

She says there's a lot of expertise here that can be used, along with potentially the capacity to produce.

The Director-General of Health Dr Ashley Bloomfield today said a vaccine's still likely 12 to 18 months away.