A Possible COVID-19 Vaccine
With the increasing transmission of the coronavirus throughout the world, this public health issue has become a matter of urgency. As research and studies are being conducted to discover an efficient treatment option or vaccine to inoculate the uninfected population, the world has been practicing social distancing and following public health guidelines. However, the novel discovery of a potential vaccine by Russia sheds light on a possible end to this pandemic, bringing the world one step closer to restoring itself.
BY: DEV DWIVEDI
As of August 11, 2020, Russian President Vladamir Putin announced their country had become the first in the world to approve the widespread use of a COVID-19 vaccine. In his announcement, Putin noted that a Russian regulator had approved a coronavirus vaccine formulated by the Gamaleya Research Institute of Epidemiology. As Russia mass-produces these vaccines, researchers are conducting Phase III trials to add further credence to the vaccine’s efficacy. In these trials, test subjects will be given either a vaccine or a placebo injection. These patients will be monitored to analyze the effect of the vaccine as they evaluate whether it is capable of preventing the disease. Russia’s Gamaleya vaccine is administered in two doses, made of two adenoviruses that simulate COVID-19’s spike protein. The initial dose administered includes the Ad26 virus while the latter dose administered includes the Ad5 virus, both of which are being experimented within New Jersey and Beijing respectively. Through the studies conducted, 38 participants who received one or two doses of the experimental vaccine demonstrated signs of producing antibodies against the coronavirus. This may assist in providing an increased immunity against the virus protecting a greater populous if accepted.
President Putin plans to move forward with this vaccine as he asserts that the vaccine has passed all checks. Mr. Putin additionally highlights that one of his daughters was inoculated with this vaccine as well. He notes that his daughter felt well, in spite of a slight temperature increase. Russian officials predict that they will initiate mass vaccination in October 2020.
Regardless of these claims, scientists believe that this decision of manufacturing and distributing this vaccine may be extremely dangerous as Russia has not performed extensive trials on their current vaccine design. As such, unintentional side effects or complications may arise if the vaccine is later proven to be ineffective at preventing the virus. For instance, severe reactions or the situation of the development of the virus within the recipient are all probable. Therefore, patients will undergo more harm rather than receiving the expected benefits from the vaccine they are administered. In addition to this, many fear that if this vaccine were to fail, it may impede the acceptance and widespread use of the COVID-19 vaccine. Considering this, researchers and scientists, even many within Russia, view this as an unethical, inefficient, and possibly failed attempt at meeting the world’s needs by distributing a highly experimental vaccine.
The novel Russian coronavirus vaccine has even been met with skepticism in the United States of American and the United Kingdom. In July 2020, for example, Dr. Anthony Fauci, America’s leading infectious diseases expert, had voiced his concerns regarding the rigor of the vaccine testing protocols in Russia and China. The World Health Organization’s Christian Lindmeier had also expressed his views regarding the difference between finding a clue to a vaccine and having a clue to a vaccine. Though he clarifies that both are great news as progress is being achieved, he also addresses that rushing through the designated procedures in the developmental stages can serve to have severe consequences. Recognizing the limitations presented by these recent breakthroughs, the Moscow-based Association of Clinical Trials Organizations (Acto) is urging the Russian health ministry to postpone the approval of the vaccine until the results from Phase III testing are collected and analyzed, to further authenticate the efficacy of the vaccine.
“This is a reckless and foolish decision. Mass vaccination with an improperly tested vaccine is unethical. Any problem with the Russian vaccination campaign would be disastrous both through its negative health effects, but also because it would further set back the acceptance of vaccines in the population.”
~ Francois Balloux, Geneticist at University College London – UK Science Media Centre
With the many stances advocated regarding the Russian vaccine, the future seems uncertain in terms of whether the vaccine will prevail through the current skepticism shrouding it or whether the vaccine will not be efficient to the degree to which it can successfully deter the coronavirus without causing any harm to the patient. Though there is no definite answer to this uncertainty, one thing is for sure: with the current breakthroughs being achieved, a future vaccine or cure for the coronavirus may soon be achieved.
Image 1 Source: BBC News, “Coronavirus: Putin says vaccine has been approved for use”
Image 2 Source: The Indian Express, “Russian Covid-19 vaccine latest update: Video shows how Sputnik V will end coronavirus”
References
- Callaway, E. (2020, August 11). Russia’s fast-track coronavirus vaccine draws outrage over safety. Retrieved August 23, 2020, from https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-020-02386-2
- Chance, M., Ullah, Z., & Salama, V. (2020, August 13). Russia offers to help US with Covid-19 vaccine; US says no. Retrieved August 23, 2020, from https://www.cnn.com/2020/08/13/europe/russia-us-coronavirus-vaccine/index.html
- Coronavirus: Putin says vaccine has been approved for use. (2020, August 11). Retrieved August 23, 2020, from https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-53735718
- E. (2020, August 22). Russian Covid-19 vaccine latest update: Video shows how Sputnik V will end coronavirus. Retrieved August 23, 2020, from https://indianexpress.com/article/coronavirus/russian-vaccine-sputnik-latest-updates-6558625/
- Jon CohenAug. 11, 2., Rasha AridiAug. 21, 2., Cathleen O’GradyAug. 21, 2., Rasha AridiAug. 17, 2., Lucy HicksAug. 12, 2., & Lucy HicksJul. 31, 2. (2020, August 11). Russia’s approval of a COVID-19 vaccine is less than meets the press release. Retrieved August 23, 2020, from https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2020/08/russia-s-approval-covid-19-vaccine-less-meets-press-release
Nice article
For further info you may also add about the countries who are expected to launch their vaccine very soon: countries like India and Bangladesh.
Maybe if you can put in some highlight on this. All the best