Covid-19: Global Progress in Developing Vaccines and Mechanisms for Equitable Distribution

DOI: 10.6525/TEB.202008_36(16).0002

Yu-Chen Hsu^1＊, Hui-Chuan Wu², Yueh-Fang Hsu², Pei-Yu Chen², Jen-Ron Chiang² 

2020 Vol.36 NO.16

Correspondence Author： Yu-Chen Hsu^1＊

Abstract：

        The serious unique infectious pneumonia (COVID-19), caused by the new coronavirus (SARS-coV-2) in Wuhan, China in late 2019, has rapidly spread and become a global pandemic. It resulted in crises menacing people’s health, lives, international engagement and economic systems. Thus, a vaccine holds most potential for a rapid means of resolving the pandemic before the end of 2021. There are 23 different candidate vaccines worldwide that have entered into clinical trials. Among them, the two that have progressed the fastest are Sinovac Biotech’s inactivated vaccine and the recombinant vaccine (ChAdOx1-S) developed by Oxford University, which are already in the third phase of clinical trials. In late April 2020, WHO, EU and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation launched the ACT Accelerator Plan to acquire more COVID-19 tools. Also, GAVI, CEPI and WHO are jointly promoting the COVAX Facility, responsible for coordinating and integrating resources among worldwide vaccine developers and manufacturers. In addition to assuming risks of vaccine development, they also provide early investment in candidate vaccine products. These efforts increase chances of successful vaccine development as they expedite safe, efficient development and mass manufacturing of COVID-19 vaccines. This will result in the common goal of equitable distribution of vaccines for every nation.