Researches across the world are working against time to develop and test a ready-to-use vaccine for the coronavirus, with over 150 projects by far.
Based on initial data from three potential COVID-19 vaccine trials by British pharmaceutical firm AstraZeneca as revealed on Monday; it was a sign of confidence that a vaccine can train the immune system to identify and counteract the novel coronavirus without serious side effects. The Lancel medical journal noted the strongest response in participants on whom the vaccine prompted no side effects and elicited antibody and T-cell immune responses.
These trials included a closely-watched candidate from Oxford University. The vaccine-induced an immune response in all volunteers who received two doses without any worrisome side effects. This experimental vaccine developed by AstraZeneca is currently undergoing final-stage trial in Brazil, which is the second-worst affected country with COVID-19 cases after the USA.
News agency AFP reported that a Chinese-made vaccine by private Chinese pharmaceutical firm Sinovac Biotech has also entered the final stage of testing in Brazil, where volunteers received the first doses. This became the third in the world to reach Phase 3 clinical trials or large-scale testing on humans – the last step before regulatory approval.
The vaccine called CoronaVac will be supplied to around 9,000 health workers across six Brazilian states; in two doses over the next three months, wherein initial studies and results are expected.
Sinopharm, a state-owned Chinese company has also developed a vaccine currently in Phase 3 trials in the United Arab Emirates.
US drugmaker Pfizer and China’s CanSino Biologics also reported positive responses for their candidates on Monday.

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