AS THE WORLD eagerly awaits a vaccine for SARS-CoV-2, those who are developing the shot face several challenges in making a safe and effective product in a short time. According to the World Health Organization’s draft landscape for Covid-19 vaccines, there are 133 candidates at different stages of development. Ten of these are in the clinical evaluation stage, while 123 are in pre-clinical stages. The Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations, the global body that is funding vaccine candidates, lists 224 candidates across the globe that are being worked on using diverse technologies. The sheer numbers, and the different technologies being used, mean that the chances of a successful candidate are high, say experts.
Here is the bitter truth, though. Experts also concede that given the complexities involved in building a vaccine, a majority of these candidates are bound to fail—one would be lucky if a couple of them succeeded. In India, some 30 groups are working on a vaccine; only two or three look promising, said some top government officials.
この記事は THE WEEK の June 28, 2020 版に掲載されています。
7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トライアルを開始して、何千もの厳選されたプレミアム ストーリー、8,500 以上の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしてください。
すでに購読者です ? サインイン
この記事は THE WEEK の June 28, 2020 版に掲載されています。
7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トライアルを開始して、何千もの厳選されたプレミアム ストーリー、8,500 以上の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしてください。
すでに購読者です? サインイン
Lone voice of dissent
“I am keen to invite Parakala [Prabhakar] to Mumbai… What do you think? Do you know him?” A friend asked. No, I don’t know the man. And no, it is not a good idea to invite him, unless you want to invite trouble, I replied.
Modi and the Muslim syndrome
I have long been intrigued by the prime minister’s desire to hug every passing sheikh and sultan and his contrasting contempt for the ordinary Indian Muslim.
Assam Rifles not trained to guard borders; need separate force for Manipur border
Imphal is blanketed in darkness. The sun has set a little too soon in the valley, but N. Biren Singh is yet to call it a day.
SPOTLIGHT ON THE SENTINELS
Manipur government wants the Assam Rifles replaced, but the Union home ministry is focused on upgrading infrastructure and connectivity before deciding who guards the state
TUG OF WARS
The Meitei-Kuki conflict in Manipur completes a year on May 3. But for the people on the state's border, there is another threat closing in.
HOUSE OF CARDS
Plagued by desertions, corruption allegations and a rudderless leadership, the Bharat Rashtra Samithi seems to be on the verge of collapse
CONGRESS'S NORTH-SOUTH GAME CAN DIVIDE THE COUNTRY
The Lok Sabha elections may see former Karnataka chief minister Basavaraj Bommai moving to national politics,as he is contesting from the Haveri constituency, a BJP stronghold.
Capital challenge
BJP hopes Modi's popularity will help it beat the CongressAAP alliance
ROYAL BENGAL BATTLE
Krishnanagar has emerged as one of the key constituencies because of the candidates in the fray and the electoral factors at play
GRAPES OF WRATH
A range of contentious issues has raised the ideological and political stakes of the TrinamoolBJP battle in West Bengal to the highest level