The world race to develop COVID 19 vaccine: global development summary

There are 14 million COVID-19 cases globally, and the tally of death ratio has crossed more than six lakhs. The world is struggling to make a vaccine against the so-called coronavirus pandemic to stop it from causing any more havoc. Furthermore, countries like the US, Russia, China, UK, and India strive to top produce vaccines to eliminate the epidemic.

More than 130 vaccines are estimated to be under testing trials across the globe. Meanwhile, there is an economic slowdown. However, tech companies are waking up again. Prohibition on visiting actual clinics for physical consultations from doctors is a concern. Therefore, Telemedicine has taken off, and patients are benefiting from it.

Here’s a quick look at different countries who have left no stone unturned to find the COVID-19 vaccine.

Why COVID 19 vaccine?

The race is against time and the rising number of infected and diseased patients. The coronavirus caused catastrophes in multiple spheres. Ultimately, these include, but are not limited to, economics, education, technology domain. Without healthy citizens of the world, a slow down is the least desired.

Many scientists and researchers from pharma companies are trying to compete with coronavirus and defeat it. But the process is a lengthy one. There are multiple trial phases. It is done to understand the cause and effect of trials of potential medicine.

Many companies, like Moderna, claimed a successful phase trial. However, they were quick to increase the price of their stock price to almost double with power. The critics strongly discourage the movement of profit-making ventures above humanitarian advancements.

Hence, there is a new lookout and focus on other prominent research labs, e.g., Oxford University. Around 30 companies and research labs across the world are working to find a cure for the COVID 19 virus.

Stages of any vaccine development:

According to Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), a particular set of guidelines are issued and are to be followed for vaccine development.

“The general stages of the development cycle of a vaccine are:

• Exploratory stage
• Pre-clinical stage
• Clinical development
• Regulatory review and approval
• Manufacturing
• Quality control”

Russia:

The Russian scientists and researchers believe that the Covid-19 vaccine will be launched in August. It has been stated by the Moscow State Medical University that they have conducted successful clinical trials of the Covid-19 vaccine. These started on June 18; Initially, Volunteers were discharged on July 15 while the second batch of volunteers on July 20.

China:

Chinese company Sinovac Biotech has conducted human trials that have reached the third stage. It is one of the first vaccine trial stages to have reached the third stage. Firstly, these trials were in Abu Dhabi, and 15,000 were registered. They were administered the dose of vaccine twice within 28 days, and researchers observed the production of antibodies in volunteers. China, to shield against Covid-19, researched four medicines.

The UK:

Oxford University and Imperial College have developed the Covid-19 vaccine; it is under the second and third stages of human trials. In the second stage, approx 105 people undergoing the vaccine trial. The third stage will begin in November, and 6,000 people will volunteer.

India:

India has developed two medications, so-called Convex and ZyKov-D, are under the first and second stage trials. Bharat Biotech, a pharmaceutical company, has manufactured Covexin. No side effects seemed or observed during the trails on volunteers. India claims 100 million doses of mentioned medicines ready after the soon successful windup of trials in March.

United States:

Biotechnology company Moderna has claimed to conduct the final stage of human trial by July 27. Eighty-seven places would be selected to perform human tests in the US. Lastly, the US government would fund this company. They are yet to receive the coronavirus genes for further study.

Germany, Australia:

German companies claim for the second stage of vaccine for Covid-19, and Australian companies are still at the first stage.

Why the delay in the development of a curve for coronavirus vaccine?

It takes a lot of scientific research and clinical trials to claim and announce a working experiment. There are a lot of approval rounds backed after exhaustive research. It is noteworthy that global alliances are working together for the more significant cause. However, the clock is ticking and knows no humanity.

When will the vaccine and possible cure against coronavirus be out?

As we learned, many labs and research universities are speeding the development process for curing COVID-19 outbreak. One should keep in mind that anything dealing with lives and affecting lives needs thorough tests and trials. The reason being, checking an allergic reaction, or if mutation exists for the virus gene, or only if the cure works or not.

Recap

Many countries are working to produce a possible coronavirus cure. The trials are in full swing. Only time can tell if the efforts go to vain or become a success whose tales are written in history books for centuries to come.