THREE VACCINES THAT ARE IN THE FINAL PHASE OF TRIALS! WHEN ARE THEY LAUNCHING? DETAILS

The novel coronavirus has already infected more than 1.5 crore people across the world. A vaccine is not available to protect ourselves against COVID-19 virus yet. According to World Health Organization (WHO), around 150 vaccines are being developed across the world and are at different stages of trials at present.

Currently, there are three vaccines that have reached the final stage of trial and are most likely to be the first ones to arrive at the market. These vaccine candidates include the vaccine developed by the University of Oxford along with pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca, Chinese Vaccine firm Sinovac Biotech and Moderna Inc’s COVID-19 vaccine.

Oxford University's COVID-19 vaccine

Known as AZD1222, the COVID-19 vaccine is being developed by Jenner Institute which is under Nuffield Department of Medicine at the University of Oxford. This vaccine is being backed by AstraZeneca PLC, which is a British- Swedish pharmaceutical company. It has shown positive results in the initial trials. 

They have collaborated with Serum Institute of India (SII), the world’s largest manufacturers with respect to number of doses produced and sold. The third phase of human trials has already commenced in Brazil. It is likely to be available in the Indian market on November. 

Moderna's COVID-19 vaccine:

Federal researchers have conveyed that Moderna INC’s coronavirus vaccine has produced antibodies in patients and is reportedly safe as per initial safety trial However, researchers have noted that volunteers developed few side effects. 

Tony Moody, doctor and researcher at the Duke Human Vaccine Institute called it “really encouraging” due to the antibody levels produced by the vaccine.

Sinovac Biotech's CoronaVac:

A vaccine which was produced by Chinese pharmaceutical firm Sinovac Biotech is the third vaccine candidate that has entered the third phase of clinical trials. It is known as CoronaVac and is being made by the pharmaceutical firm Sinovac Biotech. The firm is working in collaboration with Butantan Institute, a Brazilian Public health research center for the trial. 

Almost 9,000 health workers across Brazilian states are likely to receive two doses of the vaccine over the next three months of study. Sao Paulo Governor Joao Doria told the media that initial results were expected within 90 days.

COVID-19 vaccine produced by Pfizer and BioNTech is also reportedly making “good progress” in trials. However, the first use cannot be expected till 2021 according to WHO.