The current status of Covid-19 vaccine development is that more than 100 vaccines are under pre-clinical trails and two of them have also entered the human trial stage. But, one of the top health experts has raised questions about what if the world never sees a Covid-19 vaccine.
In cases of HIV and dengue, there are also no vaccines so far. And there is a limited understanding of how the virus interacts with the immune system and how certain types of pre-existing immunity can exacerbate the disease. In that perspective, if covid19 doesn’t get a vaccine, what is the next scenario?
Along with some viruses, will coronavirus also won’t get a vaccine? It is unpredictable and absurd to jump into conclusions whether a vaccine will appear at all, or if it does appear. According to Dr. David Nabarro, the World Health Organization’s Covid-19 special envoy, he said that he is unsure about the appearance of vaccination ever and it is also unlikely to have a vaccine in the future, which definitely sounds distressing.
With 3.52 million coronavirus cases and 252K deaths, the world is waiting for the vaccine desperately just like how we waited for the HIV vaccine for nearly four decades. Talking about the latest pandemic, having a vaccine for 12 to 18 months from now is very difficult but not impossible. If it happens it will be a heroic achievement. Because infections like HIV and Dengue made us believe otherwise. Finger crossed.
HIV and Dengue are never-ending problems today with each year thousands of people losing their lives. Realistically and similarly, we should also not expect there to be a safe and effective vaccine for COVID-19 for at least another two or three years at the very least and it is possible that a vaccine may never be developed at all. COVID-19 will undoubtedly remain an aspect of our daily lives for years to come.
However, be thankful that we are developing more effective treatments for the disease and hospitals may adapt to better handle their patients in the meanwhile. And, just hope that by the time vaccine is eventually developed, our lives will not irreversibly be changed. Until then, let us be optimistic!