An experimental vaccine made by Moderna, well-financed biotech, was created and tested in Haller, who received an outpour of appreciation. Moderna and China’s CanSino Biologies are the first to launch small clinical trials of vaccines against COVID-19. Vaccines group into eight different platforms including old standbys and technology. Vaccines against related coronaviruses that cause SARS and MERS have worked in animal models. There is concern about whether people will develop durable immunity since vaccines try to mimic natural infection. Dr. Fauci predicts a vaccine will take at least a year/year and a half, and that there could be delays such as side effects, dosing issues, manufacturing problems. Even before phase III efficacy trials are completed, a new vaccine might be made available to healthcare workers and others. A coronavirus researcher says a vaccine that only offers limited protection & durability can be good enough at first. NIAID immunologist claims that without the structure, “..you don’t know what you’re doing” (making a vaccine). Producing huge numbers of vaccine doses may be easier for mRNA vaccines than for traditional ones. Sinovac Biotech is making the SARS-CoV-2 vaccine by chemically inactivating whole virus particles and adding an immune booster. A virologist says inactivated virus vaccines have the advantage of being a “tried and true technology..” The CEO of Invio Pharmaceuticals thinks “..having a balance of antibody and T cell responses probably is the best approach.” CEO of Moderna says, “nobody knows which vaccines are going to work,” as there are many different platforms. CEPI hopes to raise money from the government, private philanthropies, industry, United Nation, Foundation, and to move six of the eight products into larger safety studies after reviewing phase I data and animal model data to arrive at three that are worthy of full-scale efficacy trials that enroll perhaps 5000 participants. The head of Gavi, Vaccine Alliance suggests “..a big science approach” of having a coordinated global vaccine development. Sinovac could move its vaccine through small phase I and II tests by June depending on approval from Chinese regulatory agencies. Haller had no serious side effects from the mRNA phase I study, albeit the fact that the study may not determine whether the vaccine is effective. Kudos to her for undergoing the first experimental vaccine.
