Coronavirus updates

Human testing for vaccine

Human Trials: Fast-track a COVID-19 Vaccine
Human trials for a new vaccine against the COVID-19 (coronavirus) should begin in about six weeks. This news comes as a great relief to the US and the world. A Vaccine will be a welcome gift to the world. Our world has seen the horrific spread of this respiratory disease.
As of today, Feb 28 COVID-19 has infected, 82,000 people. We know there have been over 2,704 deaths in China and 57 deaths in 46 other countries. Human trials indicate the first phase of creating a vaccine to prevent the virus from global domination.

In case you have not heard about the latest countries involved, Mexico, Nigeria, Estonia, Denmark, the Netherlands, and Lithuania have now reported their first cases, according to WHO. Those countries report that they believe the virus hit them from people with "travel history connected to Italy. Certainly, Italy is the worst-affected European country. Mexico is the second Latin American country to register the virus, after Brazil. And the Nigerian case is the first in sub-Saharan Africa."

Now, with Human Trials for a Vaccine: Hope
Pulmonologists, like our experts at Florida Lung, Asthma and Sleep Specialists have joined in one plea. This plea includes health care providers around the globe. Together, they have cried out for communities to be vigilant against the disease. However, they must not be panic-stricken. Now both research scientists and practicing doctors can join in the hope we are on the right track to defeat this virulent enemy.
Dr. Anthony Fauci is the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. After the announcement of the human trial testing for a potential vaccine, Dr. Fauci stated, "We are on time at least and maybe even a little bit better..."
Human trials testing a potential vaccine for the COVID-19 coronavirus. They are expected to begin in six weeks, U.S. health officials announced Tuesday.

"Hopefully, no Further Glitches."
"The White House reportedly asked Congress on Monday for $1.25 billion in additional funding to bolster its coronavirus response. The request included money to develop a vaccine and therapeutics to treat the virus."
As FLASS previously blogged, the National Institutes of Health has been working with biotech company Moderna to develop a vaccine using the current strain of the coronavirus.

Secretary Azar: High Hopes and Level-Headed Advice
Most people do not understand how much time and money there is involved in creating a vaccine. Experts will have to develop, test and review the vaccine. Usually, this can take not only months but even years.

Before Human Testing: Life of a Vaccine
Selection of Individuals for the Human Trials Can Be a Time Consuming Process.
Human Trials Require Many Hours of Meticulous Work in Medical Laboratories, World-Wide.

The procedure requires a long, tedious time because before researchers can even think about human trials. Understandably, they require 3 important factors:
Discovering the complete understanding of the pathogen,
Designing and passing numerous safety tests,
And selecting and organizing a sufficient number of human volunteers.

Fast-Tracking Work on a COVID-19 Vaccine.
Where are we now with our discoveries? Fauci stated that the potential vaccine has been successful with live lab mice. This means it is "immunogenic." It triggers a response in the immune system, of the test animals. Certainly, this suggests it could fight the virus. Now let's examine the details:
1. Scientists placed the gene into a messenger RNA.
2. They produced it for the mice.
3. Researchers proved it's immunogenic.
4. Now, paperwork must be submitted to prove compliance with regulations and safety.
5. Then the doctors will give the vaccine to volunteers and carefully collect data and monitor results.

Human Trials for Vaccine: Great, But Not a Treatment
Holding back optimism, Fauci cautions us all. The vaccine might not provide a solution to "problems in the next couple of months but it certainly would be an important tool..."He warned us of the popular opinion that COVID-19 could be seasonal. This means the virus could recede as we enter the warmer seasons. Then, like influenza, it could return to infect us again and again. This fear has fed scientists to fast-track the research for a vaccine.

Developing Treatment: No Proven Therapies
Let's compare COVID-19 to the flu. You already know that the flu often ends with a severe cold unless there are bacterial complications that send the patient into bronchitis or pneumonia. Of course, we have antibiotics that work on those complications. So we often see complete recoveries. However, the rapidly growing COVID-19 often propels the patient straight into respiratory distress and treatment might not stop it.

peace out and stay safe 🤙
~careflower
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