We all want the nightmare of COVID-19 to be over. However, it seems just as the situation starts to get better, cases go back up. At this rate, there seems to be only two realistic resolutions to the pandemic. The first possibility is that everyone eventually gets the virus, and we all gain natural immunity. That would be much less preferable, as no one knows how long that would take, or how many people would be permanently affected. The second outcome is that a vaccine is developed, and we all are artificially exposed to the virus providing immunity. So either way, the majority of us are going to end up immune in the end. A vaccine would simply speed up that process and help us get back to our normal lives, without getting sick or worse. So far there hasn’t been much hope for a vaccine, until now.
The news of a viable vaccine hit on 11/16. The second prototype vaccine has been revealed by Moderna Inc., and trials show it to be 94.5% effective. This is only 9.4% more effective than Pfizer Inc.’s vaccine, which was announced 11/9. However, the Moderna vaccine is much more promising for actual distribution. The Pfizer vaccine is required to be stored at negative 94 degrees fahrenheit, and must be administered immediately upon removal from storage. This raised concerns about accessibility and how easily the vaccine could be distributed to clinics across America and potentially the globe. However with the Moderna vaccine, the vaccine starts out as frozen, but is still effective when left in a regular refrigerator for up to 30 days. This makes the vaccine much more realistic and accessible to people around the world.
The vaccine should be available by the end of December for emergency cases only. By the end of January, Moderna Inc. is hoping to have enough vaccines manufactured to vaccinate all Americans 65 and up. They come first because they are at the highest risk should they become infected, and from then on vaccinations will occur in order of “who needs the vaccination most.” There could be serious conflict over the definition of that term, but Moderna should be ramping up their production by then with realistic expectations for the vaccine to be released for voluntary vaccination by late spring to early summer.
This is, of course, assuming that the vaccine is approved by the FDA in a timely manner. However, if the vaccine does meet the restrictions, the FDA should not take very long to approve it, as it is looking to be one of the most important medical products in American history, and potentially global history. If the vaccine does well in the US, then global distribution should ensue.
However, as we have learned by now, not everything goes according to plan, and these are the current expectations. It could take much, much longer; however currently this is our light at the end of the tunnel. Considering what is riding on this vaccine, our economy, our culture, an entire generation’s education and social growth, people should be cooperating to make sure this vaccine is safe for all, and to get it out as fast as possible.
Sources
Brennan, Zachary, and Sarah Owermohle. “There Are 2 Effective Covid-19 Vaccines. What's next?” POLITICO, POLITICO, 17 Nov. 2020, www.politico.com/news/2020/11/16/moderna-coronavirus-vaccine-effective-436776.
Cohen, Elizabeth. “Moderna's Coronavirus Vaccine Is 94.5% Effective, According to Company Data.” CNN, Cable News Network, 16 Nov. 2020, www.cnn.com/2020/11/16/health/moderna-vaccine-results-coronavirus/index.html.
Fox News. “LIVE UPDATES: Comparing the Moderna and Pfizer Coronavirus Vaccines.” Fox News, FOX News Network, 16 Nov. 2020, www.foxnews.com/us/live-updates-coronavirus-vaccine-11-16-2020.
Neergaard, Lauran. “2nd Virus Vaccine Shows Striking Success in US Tests.” AP NEWS, Associated Press, 17 Nov. 2020, apnews.com/article/2nd-virus-vaccine-success-us-tests-5575a8a8ca3825a9bf39a5d234aba07b.
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