There were phase 1, phase 2, and phase 3 clinical trials all through last year. The first clinical trial recipients got their first doses back on March 16th 2020. Just between Pfizer and Moderna, in the US and the UK, over 100,000 people participated in the clinical trials prior to the Emergency Use Authorizations being granted in the US.
There were also animal studies conducted, mostly with rhesus monkeys.
Aww hell, now you’re bringing facts into this? Please stop confusing the issues! ;-)