Doctors looking at 11 covid19 vaccines

A total of 11 out of 125 vaccines have been developed to the stage of clinical trials, says Christine Carrington, professor of molecular genetics and virology and head of the Department of Pre-clinical Sciences at UWI.

Carrington made the statement during the Ministry of Health’s covid19 update on Monday.

She said the strongest of the vaccines is called AZD 1222 or Chadox n-cov19.

She added that the vaccine is a weakened version of a common cold virus which causes infections in chimpanzees. It is modified so that it could not multiply but can release the protein needed to combat the virus.

“Initial human trials have gone well in that the vaccine is able to recognise the virus and it is safe,” she said.

Developed by Oxford University, the vaccine is one of several being prepared for mass production by a pharmaceutical company.

“There is a lot in the pipeline and things are progressing at a fast rate but there is still uncertainty and a lot of work to be done,” Carrington warned.

“Even if trials identify a safe vaccine and it goes into production this year, it is likely that it would take 12-18 months before it would be ready for wide administration.”

She said until a vaccine can be mass produced, TT will have to try and avoid the virus entering the country ensure that it has fast testing and continue the “new normal” of physical distancing, sanitisation and washing hands.