It's likely that by the time they know this works (or doesn't work) and is safe (or isn't safe), many others will be in an advanced state of development. Totally plausible that there'll be a few available at some point.

This is a government funded university project, so "losing the race" is likely not a primary concern; I'm sure if someone else came out with a magic vaccine fully tested and ready to mass manufacture tomorrow the researchers on this project would be pretty happy about that.