The search for an effective COVID vaccine

In the preparation of effective vaccines, utmost care must be taken at each phase. By using the Yellow Fever vaccine, developed by the United States during World War II, which accidentally got contaminated with hepatitis-B, many soldiers became seriously ill resulting in many deaths. In the early days of polio vaccine trials, due to negligence thousands of people remained infected with the virus.

Hyderabad: The uncontrolled proliferation of COVID cases....nearly half-a-crore domestically and nearly three crores worldwide indicates the severe spread of the pandemic. The entire humanity is on tenterhooks eagerly waiting for the success of more than 140 on-going experiments in various countries for a proper vaccine. The Oxford vaccine exercise, which successfully passed two stages and is in the most crucial third phase experiment, has encountered an expected stumbling block.

The UK drug giant AstraZeneca and Oxford University have suspended the third phase experiments because a vaccine-induced volunteer developed neurological complications. They have resumed the experiments after an immediate observation by an independent security and review committee. The success of the vaccine depends on the success of the research, which is carried out extensively at various stages and the vaccine should emerge successful at every stage of the research.

Over the years, many scientists have been warning that in view of the several complexities involved it is not easy to design an effective vaccine to gain upper hand on Corona. White House President Trump's accusation that China is hacking into their country's vaccine manufacturing laboratories, Beijing's hasty announcement that health workers can be vaccinated before full approvals arrive, and Russia's preparations for mass vaccination without mention of the third stage....all are creating many doubts on the evolution of the life-saving drug.

Scientists say after the third phase of testing is successfully completed it will take 12-18 months to complete the process of bringing the vaccine to public use. The latest assurance from Astrogene, which aims to make the vaccine available to everyone by the end of this year or, early next year, points to risky haste.

The vaccine, which was intended to treat tonsillitis in the sixties, received final approval after four years of extensive testing. Compared to various other vaccines this was achieved in the shortest period. Phase three trials of the vaccine aimed at controlling HIV have been going on for more than three decades. In spite of knowing these facts, the ICMR fixed an unrealistic deadline of August 15 for the Indian vaccine and attracted widespread criticism. Later it changed its statement saying that it had rushed in an attempt to complete the various stages fast.

In the preparation of effective vaccines, utmost care must be taken at each phase. By using the Yellow Fever vaccine, developed by the United States during World War II, which accidentally got contaminated with hepatitis-B, many soldiers became seriously ill resulting in many deaths. In the early days of polio vaccine trials, due to negligence thousands of people remained infected with the virus.

The 'BITS- Pilani' estimates that the number of cases in the country will exceed 70 lakh by the first week of October due to the Coronavirus, which is becoming a major crisis. Studies show that antibodies are developed in millions of asymptomatic patients infected by Corona. Many countries around the world are afraid of the virus re-attacks without any distinction.

At this point, it is best for the agencies and governments to exercise restraint until there is complete confidence in the effectiveness of the vaccine. The harsh reality is that at this juncture the humanity has no endurance to sustain the loss and difficulties if the experiment in the name of antidote fails!