Lehigh County Health & Medicine Summer 2021 - 13

LCMEDSOC.ORG
PREFACE
Freelance scientific writer Erica Tramuta-Drobnis originally provided a
detailed overview on April 28, 2021, of the global companies developing
COVID-19 vaccines. Erica is VMD, MPH, CPH; CEO/Founder ELTD
One Health Consulting, LLC. Below is an excerpt with digital links to
the specific information regarding the 15 companies. Accompanying
footnotes can be found on the original posting, https://www.kolab
tree.com/blog/top-15-companies-developing-covid-19-vaccines/
INTRODUCTION
According to the World Health Organization (WHO),[1] as of
April 4, 2021, cases and deaths globally continue to climb secondary
to the COVID-19 or SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. The WHO recorded
over four million cases in the week of April 4, 2021, with an 11%
increase in the death toll.[1] Now more than ever, the development
and distribution of vaccinations are paramount. To achieve an end or
at least to establish sufficient herd immunity that society can return
to what will become our new normal.
Herd immunity, defined by WHO, is " also known as 'population
immunity'. " It " is the indirect protection from an infectious disease
that happens when a population is immune either through vaccination
or immunity developed through previous infection. " [2] It will be
the key to returning the world's population to some semblance of the
previous 'normal.'
THE COVID-19 VACCINE RACE AND EMERGENCY USE
AUTHORIZATION (EUA)
Vaccinations against infectious diseases revolutionized public health
and modern medicine. They helped take us from the dark ages to a
new era of health and prosperity. [3-5]
During this pandemic, the rapidity at which vaccines have been
developed for use globally is unprecedented. Though no vaccine has
been given full authorization by any governing body, Emergency Use
Authorization (EUA) status has been authorized for several vaccines
in record time.[6]
Typically, vaccines take years to develop. Often well over 15 years or
more5 from the time research and development (R&D) begins until the
time of use outside of clinical trials. However, candidate COVID-19
vaccines started clinical trials in under 6 months and were released
provisionally in 10 months. [5,7,8]
As of April 6, 2021, WHO data described 86 COVID-19 vaccines in
various clinical development stages, with another 186 in the pre-clinical
stages.[9] More vaccines enter development phases as others enter or
progress through the various clinical trials. Thus, vaccine R&D has
taken place globally in numerous countries with an unprecedented
amount of cooperation among nations, companies, private and public
entities, and government agencies.
WHAT IS EUA?
Globally, this is the first time that WHO and individual nations
have approved vaccinations without completing standard full-scale
approval processes.
We live in unprecedented times, and this calls for exceptional
measures. Suppose we hope to make a dent in the transmission and
subsequent infections and deaths caused by this virus. In that case,
vaccinations need to be timely, evenly, and well distributed globally.
To do so requires their use before completing phase III clinical trials
or follow-up studies.
PROFILING 15 VACCINES IN ACTIVE DEVELOPMENT
As of April 19, 2021, per the CDC10(p19), all Americans over
sixteen are now eligible for COVID-19 vaccination. To ensure we
have sufficient vaccines, we need to evaluate what is out there and
on the horizon.
Here we will discuss 15 of the top candidates for COVID-19 vaccines,
both authorized for use and those in advanced clinical trial stages. The
selected 15 in no way represent support of use or reflect any financial
or political interest in the vaccines. At the date of this document, 13
vaccines were approved for use worldwide. [11]
Selection criteria were selected based on available data and resources.
Collectively, consensus about the efficacy, advancement levels of
the vaccines, and scientific research and backing for these vaccines
predominated in research to date, leading to selection criteria alone.
Continued on page 14
SUMMER 2021 | Lehigh County Health & Medicine
13
http://www.LCMEDSOC.ORG https://www.kolabtree.com/find-an-expert/erica-tramuta-drobnis/?utm_source=Blog&utm_medium=Post&utm_campaign=Covid-Vaccines-Global https://www.kolab http://www.tree.com/blog/top-15-companies-developing-covid-19-vaccines/
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