We can test whether the vaccine leads to the production of antibodies in the study participants that can suppress the actual virus in a test tube. The next phase of clinical testing is to determine if the vaccine will actually protect people from COVID-19.
Most vaccine clinical trials today are in the first phase testing for safety. For example, a product now in clinical trials in New York is rather unique. Developed by the Pharmaceutical company Pfizer, it has part of the virus’s genetic material as the vaccine so that when administered, it can generate SARS-CoV-2 proteins to trigger an immune response in the person.
One product which is in the second phase of development was created at Oxford University in England, supported by AstraZeneca pharmaceuticals. It uses another virus (an adenovirus) that is harmless to humans that has been engineered to display the SARS-CoV-2 proteins on its surface to be recognized by our immune system.
Whether or not a vaccine works in animal studies and appears to produce protective antibodies in people in early clinical studies, the ultimate test is whether it prevents the infection in humans. Many vaccine products may get close but ultimately, no cigar.
It is good to have promising options but only time will tell if they will be effective. We’ll just have to wait. You have some time to decide whether you will get it.
When it is here, make sure your decision is based on science, not myth or rumors! In the meantime, MAINTAIN SOCIAL DISTANCING and STAY AT HOME!
Note: This is a follow-up to an article that was published on April 30th.