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There are currently around 200 possible COVID 19 vaccine treatments. Hundreds of millions of vaccine doses could be available by the end of the year.
Research into a vaccine against the Corona Vorus is currently in full swing. The World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates that one or two vaccines against the corona virus could be available by the end of the year. Predictions are always difficult, but if everything goes smoothly with the current studies, several hundred million vaccine doses could be produced, said the WHO’s chief scientist, Soumya Swaminathan, on Thursday in Geneva.
Just under a dozen of the approximately 200 vaccines currently in development are already being tested on humans. “Even if the first or second one does not deliver what it promises in the end, we should not give up hope,” Swaminathan said. One challenge, he said, is manufacturing capacity. But several companies have already invested heavily. The scientist was convinced that two billion vaccine doses could be available by the end of next year.
Priority for high-risk patients
WHO is working with all countries of the world to reach agreement on distribution priorities. The WHO chief scientist said that the fact that a country has secured a vaccine for itself should be avoided. A priority list could include, for example, health and care workers, police officers, vendors, the elderly or those with pre-existing conditions.
Although vaccines are now being developed at a record pace, there must be no compromise on safety, Swaminathan said. She did not rule out the possibility that mass vaccinations might have very rare side effects. One must always weigh up the risks and benefits carefully. “There is nothing in the world that has zero risk,” she said.
- Hector Pascua
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