Coronavirus vaccine: Can India get its hands on Moderna's COVID-19 vaccine? 3 challenges we have

Moderna's strong efficacy rates, a whopping 94.5% make it one of the most favoured COVID-19 vaccines in contention right now. The US-based Biotech company, which is in phase III testing is rumoured to have ramped up production plans and seek emergency authorisation in the coming weeks.

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While first-hand access will rest in Moderna's home country, the USA, the company has made strategic partnerships with countries across the world as well.

Latest reports suggest that Moderna Therapeutics Inc. is also in talks with the WHO-GAVI backed vaccine alliance, COVAX to supply doses to vulnerable, developing countries across the world.

According to reports, Moderna Inc. is considering talks to be a part of COVAX, which will help it expand its reach outside of the US and Europe. While company spokespersons have remained tight-lipped about a possible strategic alliance with India, the biotech company did discuss plans of ensuring equitable access across the globe.

"We are seeing enormous interest and are having discussions with a number of countries about Moderna’s vaccine candidate against COVID-19,"

Right now, most vaccine contenders, including Pfizer, Oxford-Astrazeneca, Novavax and Sputnik V are in talks to market their vaccine models in India, with Oxford's vaccine candidate having the most favoured odds. Moderna is the only major one which hasn't disclosed details yet. However, if the vaccine is to reach India's shores, there might be some hurdles authorities will have to overcome.

Moderna's COVID-19 vaccine makes use of novel mRNA technology, which is a new concept and requires specific storage detail. While unlike Pfizer, it may not require extremely cold temperatures, it will require working temperatures ranging from -2 degrees to 4 degrees Celcius, which means that particular storage criterion is to be prepared in advance. The only way Moderna gains an edge over its other mRNA competitor is that it has the ability to stay stable in a given environment for upto 30 days.

Officials will have to chalk up storage and inoculation plans much in advance if we were to get our hands on Moderna's model. The possibility of side-effects, which can be experienced with Moderna vaccine, and the ones it would suit the most to, should be considered as well.

Moderna also does not have a distribution network in India as of right now and will have to consider partner alliances, much like Sputnik V and Oxford University to reach India's at-risk population.

Right now, it is being stipulated that a single dose of Moderna vaccine will cost $10- 450 per dose- which is slightly expensive for India. While mass orders placed by the government may be able to help lower down the cost, storage and shipping can also scale up the cost sizeable.

As compared to this, Oxford's dose remains to be one of the cheapest we have right now, and as many suspect, also one of the most workable ones. However, joining the COVAX alliance may help Moderna alter its prices for India and other developing countries.

Before the approvals are met with- a lot many countries, including the US, UK, parts of Europe and Japan signed contracts worth millions to secure enough doses for their populace. Reports emerged that only a small percentage- around 20% remains for other countries to use and purchase. This hinders the process of equitable distribution and supply for the ones in need.

While other companies like RDIF and SII have promised upwards of 50 million doses for India, the big question really remains, how many will be able to secure access to Moderna's vaccine, if it were to be approved for use in our country.