Where's Waldo... and Where's the COVID-19 Vaccine?

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The vaccine everyone's waiting for: when will we see a vaccine for COVID-19? 

 

A question we are all thinking about, even if we are not putting it into words.  Is a vaccine the COVID-19 "Holy Grail?"  Will it bring safety and normalcy back to our lives?  Who is working on it?  How many are in trials?  Is it safe?  Will it give me the virus?  Can everyone get vaccinated, or will it be the most vulnerable among us first?  How long will it take to provide immunity? 

These are the questions I have, and you must have them too.  

As we discuss immunity, we also consider antibodies, which are the byproduct of the immune response to having been infected with COVID-19.  Antibody tests are available, but are not offered to satisfy "curiosity."  What is not widely published, is what the presence of antibodies provides, and if you are considered "safe" from becoming re-infected with COVID-19. 

More than 150 individual vaccines are in the pipeline of development across the globe. 

Government labs, biotechnology companies, big pharma, and academic centers work tirelessly towards the same goal.  Hundreds of millions of dollars are being poured into development, lab, and live trials to "speed up" a process that typically takes years.  

One variation of the vaccine is developed from "messenger RNA," which induces or "tricks" the body into producing proteins that provoke an immune response to the virus, ultimately helping you develop immunity.  Top candidates from producers in Britain, Germany, China, and the United States seek to have 2 billion doses produced for mass use once the live trials have data to support public use. 

RNA vaccines have not been deployed in humans outside of clinical trials, but they are cheaper, easier, and faster to manufacture versus other types of vaccines and could be made available for an average of $5.00 per dose. 

The World Health Organization (WHO) has set the bar for an ideal vaccine as being able to establish immunity in at least 70% of the population.  Dr. Anthony Fauci, Director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, agrees, seeking 70—75% efficacy. 

Controversy 

We have all experienced this illness to have taken on a societal and political flare.  Inside of so much "information," we have been overloaded with conflicting data from the medical community, to what medications are effective against it, to mask vs. non-mask wearers, and to methods of transmission.  There are groups of vaccine critics, who have debated the safety and wisdom long before COVID-19.  The WHO identified "vaccine hesitancy" as one of the ten most serious global health threats in 2019.  As of June 30, Science Magazine and National Geographic site that just over 50% of Americans plan to take the COVID-19 vaccine once it becomes available. 

In the Meantime 

Until we hear more from the major players in the race to the vaccine, we have tools at our disposal to reduce our risk. We pay attention to our overall wellbeing and health. We continue to practice good nutrition, hydration, and sleep habits. We keep moving, managing our "news" diet (being mindful of how much we consume), and finding places of calm that we can sink into regularly. 

Our Three Best Tools: The 3 W's.  

  1. Wear your mask 

  1. Wash your hands 

  1. Watch where you go 

We keep our eyes on the scientific developments and support and thank those who continue to care for the sick, recovering, and dying.  We show our concern and respect for our neighbors by keeping our distance and wearing our masks.  We try to stay hopeful and find something beautiful in every day.  

We take an easy, deep, cleansing breath and remember it's something we can no longer take for granted and must be deeply appreciated and treasured.

science magazine, anthony fauci, world health organization, united kingdom, biotechnology, antibodies, national institute of allergy and infectious diseases, united states, illness, national geographic