What If There Is No COVID-19 Vaccine Ever

Summary

The article discusses the possibility that a COVID-19 vaccine may never be developed, despite the widespread hope and ongoing efforts.

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused significant global disruption and loss of life, prompting a desperate search for a vaccine. However, the article suggests that the development of a vaccine might not be feasible due to scientific challenges, such as the frequent mutations of coronaviruses and the historical lack of effective vaccines for similar viruses like SARS, MERS, and the common cold. It emphasizes that the immune system's response to COVID-19 is not fully understood, with evidence of low antibody levels in recovered patients, indicating potential reinfection risks. The article calls for societal adaptations and personal responsibility, suggesting that the world may need to prepare for a new normal involving periodic quarantines and a gradual easing of lockdowns, rather than relying solely on the hope of a vaccine.

Opinions

The development of a COVID-19 vaccine is uncertain and may not be possible, according to scientific evidence and historical precedent.
The frequent mutations of coronaviruses present significant obstacles to creating a long-term effective vaccine.
The lack of an effective vaccine for related viruses, such as SARS, MERS, and the common cold, suggests the difficulty in developing one for COVID-19.
The UK's Chief Medical Officer, Christopher Whitty, is cited expressing skepticism about the feasibility of stimulating long-term immunity against the virus.
There is concern that the pharmaceutical industry's pursuit of a vaccine may create false hope and detract from the necessity of societal and individual adaptations to manage the pandemic.
The article advocates for a collective response involving government legislation and individual actions to control the spread of the virus, rather than waiting for a vaccine.
It is suggested that a cautious approach to lifting lockdowns, with periods of quarantine, may become a part of life in the coming years.

What If There Is No COVID-19 Vaccine Ever

COVID-19 has wreaked havoc on human life. The modern pandemic of COVID-19 has resulted in hundreds of thousands of deaths worldwide. We are eagerly waiting to get back to our normal lives. The majority of us are wishing for our savior, COVID-19 Vaccine,to arrive soon and end our suffering.

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It takes an immense amount of courage to realize the fact that COVID-19 Vaccine might never be developed. Unfortunately, this fact is backed up by science. Let’s put some spotlight on this heart wrenching worst-case scenario.

Let’s begin by understanding the basics of a Vaccine.

Vaccine contains small molecules of the pathogen (causative agent of the disease)called antigens. Antigens activate the formation of antibodies by the immune system. Vaccine hinders the progression of the disease by producing the antibodies much earlier than the body’s natural speed.

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Vaccines are effective unless the pathogen undergoes regular antigenic shifts. New vaccines would be required for each new strain. As the Immune system will require new antibodies to fight off the disease.

Viruses among all the pathogens are highly notorious. Frequent mutations in Coronaviruses make it near to impossible to develop vaccines against viral diseases.

UK’s Chief Medical Officer, Christopher Whitty, based on his research said that it might be impossible artificially or otherwise to stimulate long-term immunity from the virus.

History suggests that no effective vaccine has been developed against SARS (earlier pandemic in 2003), MERS, or even Common Cold.

Common Cold is caused by Rhinovirus which has 113 strains approximately with no effective vaccine yet. FDA has never approved any vaccine for coronaviruses indicating that it would be surprising if they happen to develop a vaccine against COVID-19. Also, we need to keep in mind that any less properly tested vaccine may be worse than no vaccine.

A new fact study shows a low number of antibodies in COVID-19 recovered patients which means they are at risk of getting infected again. We are in initial phase of knowing the COVID-19 virus. We cannot say anything with certainty about the vaccine plan to combat COVID-19.

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What should we do now?

David Nabarro, Professor of Global Health at Imperial College London suggests that we have to adapt to halt the exponential growth of COVID-19 by societal reforms through government legislation and individual approach. This is the only anti-COVID-19 method we can reply on.

Sadly, slow ease down of lock-downs with regular small periods of quarantine in the coming years might become our new normal.

It’s high time people need to be aware. The false hope generated by the pharmaceutical companies are snatching away the seriousness of the grim reality. People can be their own saviors to save the day only if they are well-equipped with the right knowledge.