As more than 300,000 people are affected by the global pandemic, the world’s leading scientific minds are racing to produce the first vaccine for the novel coronavirus.
What is a vaccine?
A vaccine is a biological preparation that provides acquired immunity to a particular disease. A vaccine typically contains an agent that resembles a disease-causing microorganism and is often made from weakened or killed forms of microbes, it’s toxins or one of its surface proteins.
Human trials for Coronavirus vaccine have begun, Neal Browning and Jennifer Haller are among 45 volunteers who received a trial vaccine. The vaccine was developed in 42 days.
Even if the trials go well and a cure is found, there are many barriers before globally distributing it. As there will be a limited supply, at least in the early stages so it will be important to prioritize.
Coronavirus is most deadly to older people and they would be a priority if the vaccine is available and effective in this age group. Healthcare workers who in their daily shift come into contact with the Coronavirus patients would also be at the top of the list.
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- Jack Ma donated 1.2 million masks and other aids as emergency supplies to South Asian Countries.
Antiviral Drugs?
However, doctors are testing antiviral drugs to see if they work against coronavirus. “There’s only one drug right now that we think may have teal efficacy and that’s remdesivir” official from WHO said.
Remdesivir was developed as an Ebola drug and the results are awaited.
Lopinavir and Ritonavir, HIV drugs were thought to be useful against the Covid-19 virus but the trial data is disappointing. The drugs did not help the patients recover or reduce deaths and lower levels of the coronavirus in patients.
Scientists identify 70 drugs to test against Coronavirus, while two dozen of the medicines are already under investigation. The anti-malarial drug, Chloroquine has shown positive results in lab tests, showing that it can kill the virus, but we are waiting for results when it is given to patients.
Realistically, everyone will there hand on the vaccine until at least the middle of next year.
What can I do until the Vaccine or Treatment is ready?
Good hygiene is a must as vaccines prevent infections and the best way of doing that at the moment is better hygiene and hygienic environment.
This virus typically causes respiratory symptoms, so it is recommended to have basic hand hygiene, such as washing your hands with soap and water.
Make sure to wash your hands for 20 seconds at least and avoid touching your face. You should also take care of respiratory hygiene, such as when you sneeze, make sure you are sneezing into your elbow or using a tissue.
If in case you are infected by Coronavirus, then for most people it would be not severe and can be treated at home with bed rest, paracetamol and plenty of fluids. While some may develop severe disease and need a treatment form hospital.
How a Vaccine Is Created?
Vaccines are made by weakening the viruses and bacterias so that they can’t replicate themselves or can’t replicate at all.
Without causing any harm vaccines harmlessly show viruses or bacterial to the immune system, and when the body’s defense recognize them as an invader it fights with it and keeps the body safe.
However, there is a good news midst of the pandemic that Korea gas finished developing the 10-minute Covid-19 diagnostic kit and is not ramping up production. They are planning to export 300,000 test-kits per week.
Korea finished developing the 10 minute Covid-19 diagnostic kit and is now ramping up production. They plan to export 300.000 test-kits per week – pic.twitter.com/DpJCph9RT7
— Florian Witulski (@vaitor) March 21, 2020
Vaccines allow our bodies to see what a virus or bacteria looks like before we meet it for real. If and when we do meet that virus or that bacterial, our bodies are able to mount a really rapid and strong response.
The main method of vaccination has been to use the original virus for decades. Measles, mumps, and rubella(MMR) vaccines were created by weakening the virus so that it cannot replicate and cause infection.
Some of the scientists are lifting small sections of the coronavirus’s genetic code and pitting it into other, completely harmless, viruses.
Until the vaccine develops, use safety majors and take care of the elder ones in your home. Stay safe.
