The chief scientist to the World Health Organization said on Tuesday she looked forward to the “second generation” of COVID-19 vaccines.
The vaccines included newer versions as opposed to the jabs the world has grown acquainted with. Instead, vaccines in forms of intra-nasal (nasal sprays) and oral versions are in the midst of production.
Dr. Soumya Swaminathan explained these vaccines may have advantages over the current version of vaccines requiring medical professionals to perform the jabs.
For one thing, people can perform self-administration with the new versions of vaccine.
According to Swaminathan, at present, 129 different candidate vaccine have gone as far as clinical trials (tested on humans). On the other hand, there are 194 others still in early development and require further advanced studies in laboratories.
On WHO’s live social media channels, she said the studies in progress encompasses an entire range of technologies. She shared high hopes for their development to eventually be proven safe and efficacious.
The ultimate goal is for the global population to be given a range of choices to choose from. Soon, we may choose vaccines that best fits our preferences.
Needless to say, this is great news for those afraid of needles, particularly towards children.
Nasal sprays, according to Swaminathan are especially advantageous. As in countries with influenza vaccines, nasal sprays may eliminate the virus before it even establishes itself in the lungs and spark complications.
If not for COVID-19, these vaccines are in consideration for other infections in the future as well, she explained.
To date, the WHO has granted emergency use authorisation to only seven COVID-19 vaccines. These included those by Pfizer/BioNTech, Moderna, AstraZeneca, Johnson & Johnson, Sinopharm, Sinovac and just last week, Bharat Biotech.
According to an AFP count, over 7.25 billion vaccine doses have since been administered around the world.
“None of the vaccines are 100 percent. Nobody has ever claimed that the vaccines are going to be 100 percent protective. But 90 percent is a wonderful amount of protection to have, compared to zero.”
– WHO Chief scientist, Dr. Soumya Swaminathan
She also sent her reassurances that to this date, none of the approved vaccines have displayed any disconcerting effects or symptoms requiring intervention.
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