Coronavirus vaccine update – The Hype and The Facts

The Coronavirus vaccine news that a number of vaccine candidates that have been successful in the trial phases has created a great deal of optimism about the rapid availability of these treatments and the subsequent return to a “normal” life.

While the early availability of these vaccines, perhaps in early 2021, will be a game-changer in how we fight coronavirus and when the restriction the pandemic has imposed on us will be lifted, it is essential that people are aware of the facts about the various vaccine candidates that will be available shortly.

We do not know, at this time, which of the vaccines will be available in India and we can expect a coronavirus vaccine update to appear on an almost daily basis.

Here is what we do know today about the various vaccines that would probably be the first ones to be widely available.

Pfizer/BioNtech Vaccine

• Approximately 43,000 people have been part of the trials and no safety concerns have been reported.
• The trials showed that the vaccine is 90% effective in preventing COVID 19.
• The vaccine is to be administered in 2 doses with a gap of 3 weeks between each vaccination.
• The problem with this vaccine is the logistics of storage and transport. It must be kept at a temperature of -70 Degrees C or its efficacy will reduce. Finding/developing storage and transportation solutions that will be able to provide for this very low temperature may take a significant amount of time.

Moderna Vaccine

• Approximately 30,000 people have been involved in the trials of this vaccine.
• The results have been extremely good – the company says it is 94.5% effective.
• It is to be administered in 2 doses with a gap of 4 weeks between each dose.
• Storage and transportation are easier than in the case of Pfizer as the vaccine remains effective for up to 6 months if stored at -20 Degrees C, which many cold chains today can achieve.

Oxford University/AstraZeneca Vaccine

• Trials with over 20,000 volunteers are continuing.
• Data available now says that it should be 90% effective against the Coronavirus.
• This vaccine is also to be given in 2 doses.
• Data shows that this vaccine produces a strong immune response in older people.
• Storage and transportation of this vaccine are relatively easier as it does not need to be stored at extremely cold temperatures. Normal refrigeration will be enough.

Sputnik V Vaccine

• • This is the Russian vaccine that is similar to the Oxford one.
  • Data currently available indicates that it is 92% effective in preventing COVID 19.
  • This vaccine also does not require storage and extremely cold temperatures. Normal refrigeration will be enough.

These vaccines hold the promise of enabling us to stop living in fear of COVID 19 and to be able to return to a happier and more productive post-COVID 19 life.

The Coronavirus vaccine news keeps changing almost daily so it is important to keep abreast of the latest developments so that when the vaccines are available, you will be able to make the right vaccination decisions for you and your family.

Your doctor is the best source for reliable Coronavirus vaccine updates.

Read the Tamil version of this article.

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