scholarly journals The VACCINES Act: Deciphering Vaccine Hesitancy in the Time of COVID-19

2020 ◽  
Vol 71 (15) ◽  
pp. 703-705 ◽  
Author(s):  
John McAteer ◽  
Inci Yildirim ◽  
Ann Chahroudi
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Trials ◽  
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome ◽  
Scientific Discovery ◽  
Vaccine Hesitancy ◽  
Vaccine Candidates ◽  
The Face

Abstract Since the COVID-19 pandemic first hit Wuhan, China, in December 2019, scientists have been racing to develop and test novel vaccines to protect against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The speed of scientific discovery related to COVID-19 is unprecedented. With several vaccine candidates already being tested in clinical trials, we pose the question: what will the vaccine hesitant do in the face of this pandemic?

scholarly journals Addressing COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy - healthcare workers and trainees must be equipped for discussions about vaccines

2021 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexander J Moszczynski ◽  
Matthew Hintermayer
Keyword(s):  
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome ◽  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Healthcare Professionals ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Vaccine Hesitancy ◽  
Vaccine Candidates ◽  
The Past

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has challenged our world throughout the past year. As we end 2020 conversing with loved ones, the topic of COVID-19 vaccination is inevitable. Throughout the next year, our gradual return to a more familiar society will be influenced by vaccine compliance. It is therefore paramount that healthcare professionals and trainees are equipped with current knowledge to address the questions and concerns of our loved ones. The Holidays should be viewed as an opportunity to address misconceptions and questions. This brief review outlines some arguments for why a COVID-19 vaccine is necessary and clarifies some features of the current top vaccine candidates. By addressing the questions and concerns of our loved ones before they need to decide whether or not they will receive a COVID-19 vaccine, we lay the groundwork for them to make informed choices.

scholarly journals A systematic review of SARS-CoV-2 vaccine candidates

2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yetian Dong ◽  
Tong Dai ◽  
Yujun Wei ◽  
Long Zhang ◽  
Min Zheng ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Clinical Trials ◽  
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome ◽  
Therapeutic Approaches ◽  
Highly Pathogenic ◽  
Vaccine Candidates ◽  
Safety Issues ◽  
Potential Safety ◽  
Emerging Virus ◽  
Inactivated Vaccines

Abstract Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is an emerging virus that is highly pathogenic and has caused the recent worldwide pandemic officially named coronavirus disease (COVID-19). Currently, considerable efforts have been put into developing effective and safe drugs and vaccines against SARS-CoV-2. Vaccines, such as inactivated vaccines, nucleic acid-based vaccines, and vector vaccines, have already entered clinical trials. In this review, we provide an overview of the experimental and clinical data obtained from recent SARS-CoV-2 vaccines trials, and highlight certain potential safety issues that require consideration when developing vaccines. Furthermore, we summarize several strategies utilized in the development of vaccines against other infectious viruses, such as severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV) and Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV), with the aim of aiding in the design of effective therapeutic approaches against SARS-CoV-2.

scholarly journals Stages in COVID-19 vaccine development: The Nemesis, the Hubris and the Elpis

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 126-135
Author(s):  
Nikhra Vinod
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Trials ◽  
Viral Vectors ◽  
Vaccine Development ◽  
Risk Groups ◽  
Phase Iii ◽  
Vaccine Hesitancy ◽  
Effective Vaccine ◽  
Vaccine Candidates ◽  
Phase Iii Clinical Trials ◽  
And Control

The nemesis: SARS-CoV-2 pandemic: Leaving in its wake millions of infections, accompanied by an immense magnitude of morbidity and multitude of mortality, and an unfathomable economic toll, the COVID-19 pandemic has led to a global calamity. An effective and safe COVID-19 vaccine is urgently needed to prevent the disease, thwart the complications and avert deaths resulting from unrestrained transmission of the infection. The hubris: Vaccine development: While most of the platforms of vaccine candidates have focused on the spike (S) protein and its variants as the primary antigen of COVID-19 infection, various techniques involved include nucleic acid technologies (RNA and DNA), non-replicating viral vectors, peptides, recombinant proteins, live attenuated and inactivated viruses. There are novel vaccine technologies being developed using next-generation strategies for precision and flexibility for antigen manipulation relating to SARS-CoV-2 infection mechanisms. The elpis: Updates and prospects: There were nine different technology platforms under research and development to create an effective vaccine against COVID 19. Although there are no licensed vaccines against COVID-19 yet, there are various potential vaccine candidates under development and advanced clinical trials. Out of them, one having undergone phase III clinical trials, has become available in some countries for use among the high-risk groups following emergency use authorization. Other COVID-19 vaccines may soon follow the suit. Conclusion: Hopes and concerns: The hope of benefiting from the vaccine to the extent that it may be the only way to tide over and control the COVID-19 pandemic, is accompanied by the likely fear of adverse effects and opposition in public for COVID-19 vaccination, including the vaccine hesitancy. Further, there is concern among scientific circles that vaccine may have opposite of the desired effect by causing antibody-dependent disease enhancement.

scholarly journals The COVID-19 Vaccines: Recent Development, Challenges and Prospects

Vaccines ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 349
Author(s):  
Yuxin Yan ◽  
Yoongxin Pang ◽  
Zhuoyi Lyu ◽  
Ruiqi Wang ◽  
Xinyun Wu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Trials ◽  
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome ◽  
World Population ◽  
Advanced Stage ◽  
Vaccine Candidates ◽  
Stage Of Development ◽  
Global Pandemic ◽  
The World ◽  
Hygienic Measures ◽  
Repurposed Drugs

The highly infectious coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) associated with the pathogenic severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has spread to become a global pandemic. At present, the world is relying mainly on containment and hygiene-related measures, as well as repurposed drugs to control the outbreak. The development of COVID-19 vaccines is crucial for the world to return to pre-pandemic normalcy, and a collective global effort has been invested into protection against SARS-CoV-2. As of March 2021, thirteen vaccines have been approved for application whilst over 90 vaccine candidates are under clinical trials. This review focuses on the development of COVID-19 vaccines and highlights the efficacy and vaccination reactions of the authorised vaccines. The mechanisms, storage, and dosage specification of vaccine candidates at the advanced stage of development are also critically reviewed together with considerations for potential challenges. Whilst the development of a vaccine is, in general, in its infancy, current progress is promising. However, the world population will have to continue to adapt to the “new normal” and practice social distancing and hygienic measures, at least until effective vaccines are available to the general public.

scholarly journals A Review of Repurposed Cancer Drugs in Clinical Trials for Potential Treatment of COVID-19

Pharmaceutics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (6) ◽  
pp. 815
Author(s):  
Bárbara Costa ◽  
Nuno Vale
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Trials ◽  
Anticancer Drugs ◽  
Clinical Management ◽  
Scientific Discovery ◽  
Immune Dysfunction ◽  
Potential Treatment ◽  
Medical Treatments ◽  
Prevention And Treatment ◽  
Rapid Pace ◽  
Effective Drugs

The pandemic of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) represents an unprecedented challenge to identify effective drugs for prevention and treatment. While the world’s attention is focused on news of COVID-19 vaccine updates, clinical management still requires improvement. Due to the similarity of cancer-induced inflammation, immune dysfunction, and coagulopathy to COVID-19, anticancer drugs, such as Interferon, Pembrolizumab or Bicalutamide, are already being tested in clinical trials for repurposing, alone or in combination. Given the rapid pace of scientific discovery and clinical data generated by the large number of people rapidly infected, clinicians need effective medical treatments for this infection.

scholarly journals Targeting the Complement Cascade in the Pathophysiology of COVID-19 Disease

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (10) ◽  
pp. 2188
Author(s):  
Nicole Ng ◽  
Charles A. Powell
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Trials ◽  
Endothelial Dysfunction ◽  
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome ◽  
Disease Progression ◽  
Organ Dysfunction ◽  
Innate Immune ◽  
Complement Cascade ◽  
Significant Morbidity ◽  
Immune Pathways ◽  
Complement Pathways

Severe coronavirus disease 2019 causes multi-organ dysfunction with significant morbidity and mortality. Mounting evidence implicates maladaptive over-activation of innate immune pathways such as the complement cascade as well as endothelial dysfunction as significant contributors to disease progression. We review the complement pathways, the effects of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) on these pathways, and promising therapeutic targets in clinical trials.

COVID-19: Are Experimental Drugs Cure or Ill?

2021 ◽  
Vol 16 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bensu Karahalil ◽  
Aylin Elkama
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Trials ◽  
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome ◽  
Adverse Effects ◽  
Antiviral Treatment ◽  
Herd Immunity ◽  
Mortality Rates ◽  
Death Rates ◽  
Experimental Drugs ◽  
Combined Use ◽  
The World

Background: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a new strain of coronavirus. It is characterized by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). It has quickly influenced all over the world since it spreads easily. Common symptoms are fever, cough, difficulty in breathing and muscle aches. Despite the urgent need to find an effective antiviral treatment, already available agents are being used alone or in combination all over the world. At the beginning of the pandemic, death rates of infection caused by COVID-19 are high but "is COVID-19 responsible for all deaths?", or “are there any contributions of the frequently used drugs in this period to these deaths?” Surely herd immunity plays a major role and has the contribution in the decline in mortality rates. Meanwhile, it is kept in mind that due to safety concerns, changes have also been made to the dosage and combined use of frequently used drugs. Objective: In this review, answers to two questions above and the safety of treatments, toxicities of agents involving chloroquine, hydroxychloroquine, remdesivir, favipiravir, lopiravir/ritonavir, sarilumab, tocilizumab, siltuximab, corticosteroids and bromhexine which are the most frequently used in both Turkey and all over the world will be summarized. Conclusion: Among these drugs favipiravir seems the most promising drug due to more tolerable adverse effects. More clinical trials with large sample sizes are needed to find the most effective and safe drug for COVID-19 treatment.

Efficacy and Safety of AZD1222, BNT162b2 and mRNA-1273 vaccines against SARS-CoV-2

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 791-796
Author(s):  
Ilir Alimehmeti
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Trials ◽  
Diagnostic Tests ◽  
Web Of Science ◽  
Rapid Development ◽  
Phase Iii ◽  
Efficacy And Safety ◽  
Vaccine Candidates ◽  
Genetic Sequence ◽  
Phase Iii Clinical Trials ◽  
Clinical Trial Results

SARS-CoV-2, the beta coronavirus causing COVID-19, was isolated and categorizes as a novel one on January 7th, 2020 in China.[1] To date, official reports depict that SARS-CoV-2 has already infected 88.828.387 persons and caused 1.926.625 deaths worldwide.[2] On January 12th, 2020, China officials made public its genetic sequence, thus paving the way towards the research and development of diagnostic tests and vaccines. With regard to vaccination, e large number of clinical trials were designed and are currently undergoing, of which 189 are listed in ClinicalTrials.gov. [3] However, up to date, only three vaccines have published their respective phase III clinical trial results in peer-reviewed medical journals. [4-6] Vaccines are needed to reduce the morbidity and mortality associated with Covid-19, and multiple vaccine platforms as AZD1222 (AstraZeneca) [4], BNT162b2 (Pfizer/BioNTech) [5] and mRNA-1273 (Moderna) have been involved in the rapid development of vaccine candidates. Methodology: In this review, PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Scopus, medRxiv, and bioRxiv were systematically scrutinized for peer-reviewed and preprint articles on phase III clinical trials of vaccines against SARS-CoV-2. In total, only three peer-reviewed papers fulfilling the search criteria were identified. Conclusions; All vaccine candidates should publish in peer-reviewed journals their efficacy and safety well before requesting approval to the national or international authorities…

scholarly journals Progress and challenges in TB vaccine development

F1000Research ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 7 ◽  
pp. 199 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gerald Voss ◽  
Danilo Casimiro ◽  
Olivier Neyrolles ◽  
Ann Williams ◽  
Stefan H.E. Kaufmann ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Trials ◽  
Vaccine Development ◽  
Scientific Progress ◽  
Human Infection ◽  
Experimental Medicine ◽  
Vaccine Platform ◽  
Vaccine Candidates ◽  
Clinical Endpoints ◽  
Immune Correlates ◽  
Efficacy Trials

The Bacille Calmette Guerin (BCG) vaccine can provide decades of protection against tuberculosis (TB) disease, and although imperfect, BCG is proof that vaccine mediated protection against TB is a possibility. A new TB vaccine is, therefore, an inevitability; the question is how long will it take us to get there? We have made substantial progress in the development of vaccine platforms, in the identification of antigens and of immune correlates of risk of TB disease. We have also standardized animal models to enable head-to-head comparison and selection of candidate TB vaccines for further development.  To extend our understanding of the safety and immunogenicity of TB vaccines we have performed experimental medicine studies to explore route of administration and have begun to develop controlled human infection models. Driven by a desire to reduce the length and cost of human efficacy trials we have applied novel approaches to later stage clinical development, exploring alternative clinical endpoints to prevention of disease outcomes. Here, global leaders in TB vaccine development discuss the progress made and the challenges that remain. What emerges is that, despite scientific progress, few vaccine candidates have entered clinical trials in the last 5 years and few vaccines in clinical trials have progressed to efficacy trials. Crucially, we have undervalued the knowledge gained from our “failed” trials and fostered a culture of risk aversion that has limited new funding for clinical TB vaccine development. The unintended consequence of this abundance of caution is lack of diversity of new TB vaccine candidates and stagnation of the clinical pipeline. We have a variety of new vaccine platform technologies, mycobacterial antigens and animal and human models.  However, we will not encourage progression of vaccine candidates into clinical trials unless we evaluate and embrace risk in pursuit of vaccine development.

scholarly journals COVID-19 Vaccination: Concerns About Its Accessibility, Affordability, and Acceptability

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Inayat Ali ◽  
Shahbaz Ali ◽  
Sehar Iqbal
Keyword(s):  
Current Literature ◽  
Cultural Factors ◽  
The Body ◽  
Vaccine Hesitancy ◽  
Individual Level ◽  
Country Level ◽  
The World ◽  
The Face ◽  
Media Reports ◽  
Current Risk

By the mid of June 2021, after an almost 1.5-year-long COVID-19 pandemic that has significantly affected the world in multiple ways, various vaccines against COVID-19 have arrived and started worldwide. Yet, economic, (geo)political, and socio-cultural factors may influence its uptake at individual and country levels. Several issues will (and already have been reported in media) revolve around this vaccination regarding its accessibility, affordability, and acceptability at an individual level and a country level. Given that in this commentary, we provoke a discussion: Who—a country as well as the individuals—would have access to it, and who would economically afford it, and who would accept it? Centering these intriguing questions, we revisit the body of literature that explicates vaccine hesitancy, refusal, and resistance, and we also draw on the current literature and media reports about vaccination against COVID-19. We suggest that these backdrops need essential attention so that everyone can afford, accept, and have access to it. Otherwise, the current risk in the face of a year-old pandemic will continue.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document