High Hopes for a Coronavirus Vaccine
With over 5 million confirmed cases, scientists are working hard to develop a coronavirus vaccine that is vital in bringing this pandemic to an end. The production of vaccines can take decades to complete, but scientists are hopeful that one or more vaccines will be ready for use in 2021.
Vaccines can be hard to make when viruses quickly mutate, so vaccines can only target one form of the virus. Michael Farzan of Scripps Research describes COVID-19 as “an easier target, which is terrific news.” This is because the virus has a slow mutation process.
Approaches to the Vaccine
Moderna, Inovio, and Pfizer are a few companies that are already testing vaccines on both animals and humans.
Many research teams are using a variety of approaches to create the vaccine. Eventually, testing each will identify which vaccines will work and which ones will not target the vaccine.
Initially, scientists feared that the virus would escalate due to antibodies. Research has since proven this risk to be very unlikely. “That doesn’t mean there won’t be, but so far there hasn’t been any indication, so I’m cautiously optimistic at this point” says researcher Dr. Alyson Kelvin.
Ramping Up Production
Given that nearly everyone is at risk of the virus, 2 doses would be essential for each person. This would require rapid production of mass amounts of the vaccine at a time.
Vaccine production is complicated and demands a certain environment. In addition, some of the approaches taken to develop a vaccine would be difficult to manufacture in large quantities.
More than 1 effective vaccine will be needed for the coronavirus. President Trump is discussing necessary measures in hopes of releasing a vaccine by the end of 2020.
General Perna explained: “I need to have syringes [and] wipes, right? I need to have Band-Aids. I need to have the vaccine.” He then questioned: “Now, how am I going to distribute it? What is it going to be distributed in? What do I need to order now to make sure I have the distribution capacity?”
These are all things that need to be considered as scientists formulate a vaccine. Another discussion involves how to fund the vaccine. People and leaders around the world are pushing for the vaccine to be free and accessible to everyone. New Zealand’s former Prime Minister, Helen Clark, declared that “We’re not safe till everyone is safe.”
How Can We Help?
American Medical Compliance provides compliance courses on COVID-19. Visit our website to learn more: www.americanmedicalcompliance.com.
References:
Sheikh, K., Weiland, N., & Zimmer, C. (2020, May, 20). A new entry in the race for a coronavirus vaccine: hope. Retrieved from https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/20/health/coronavirus-vaccines.html
Zimmer, C. (2020, May, 6). Did a mutation turbocharge the coronavirus? Not likely, scientists say. Retrieved from https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/06/health/coronavirus-mutation-transmission.html
