According to an Associated Press report, results released July 14 showed encouraging signs on development of a vaccine against the Covid-19 virus. One vaccine, developed by the National Institutes of Health and Moderna, Inc., will begin a massive study at the end of the month to determine if it provides immunity to the virus. Patients in a smaller study did show a upsurge in their immune systems that could block infection, similar to antibodies developed by those who had already had the virus, as reported in the New England Journal of Medicine.
This vaccine requires two doses, a month apart and was only tested on younger adults in the smaller study. Side effects included flu-like reactions such as fever, fatigue, headache, fever, chills and painful injection sites, lasting about a day right after inoculation.
The next tests, with 30,000 participants, will include older adults and those with chronic health issues that put them in higher risk categories.
Hopes are to have the vaccine fully vetted and ready for distribution by early 2021, a lightning development in the world of vaccines.
There are several other companies and institutions working on their own variety of vaccine as well, with two dozen potentials under development worldwide. Two others, one developed in China and another from Oxford University in Britain are also ready for final testing. In the U.S., there are government plans to test the Oxford candidate and one developed by Johnson & Johnson. Pfizer is planning its own study as well.
Multiple vaccines are advantageous so that there are adequate supplies available worldwide.