By: Caroline Longardner
This pandemic of COVID- 19 has taken a grip on every state; world nation, and community. Now every person that we know is wearing a mask (or should be wearing one in public for their own protection as well as for other). Each night on the national news we hope to hear some good news of a break thru with a vaccine. We hear of nothing but more cancellations of activities and numbers on death rolls.
The internet has some enlightening information on the COVID-19 VACCINE: “Latest Updates”. Webnet Health News had an updated -July 15, 2020 item that I will share with you. “On June 10, 2020 more than 170 potential vaccines for COVID-19 were under study, it is hopeful that a viable vaccine may be coming by the end of the year. The U.S. said it would fund and conduct the phase III trials—the final step to determine how well the vaccine works and if it’s safe—of four candidates: Moderna, Inc., AstraZeneca, NovaVax, and Johnson & Johnson. The first three are already testing people, while J&J announced that it will begin its testing in the second half of July.”
There is much to be approved by the FDA for safety for at least 50% of the people who are vaccinated and it must prevent infection and decrease its severity. MODERNA –uses messenger RNA, also called mRNA. It carries the instruction for making the spike protein on the surface of the virus that allows it to enter cells when a person is infected.
After reaching a license agreement with Oxford University and others, ASTRAZENECA agreed to supply more than 2 billion doses globally, of their vaccine, anticipating delivery of 400 million doses before the end of 2020.
NOVAVAX is a clinical trial of its NVX-COV2373 are expected in July. The vaccine will be given in 2 different doses of the two-dose regimen with a booster. It is being tested in Australia at this time.
JOHNSON & JOHNSON is expected to start testing its vaccine the second half of July. The vaccine combines genes from the corona virus with a modified adenovirus. The first trial will include more than 1,000 healthy adults aged 18-55 and others 65 and older, and will take place in the US and Belgium.
“The Trump Adm. chose 5 companies for “Operation Warp Speed”, the national operation to accelerate the development, making, and distribution of COVID-19 vaccines, treatments, and diagnostics. They are: MODERNA; JOHNSON & JOHNSON; MERCK-, PFIZER AND BIONTECK, and ASTRA ZENECA/OXFORD UNIV.” Note: Volunteers are wanted for COVID vaccine trials. See the internet. Ref: WebMD News
