Coronavirus vaccine: From Covaxin to Russian vaccine roll out, here are all the updates regarding COVID-19 vaccine development

We are inching closer to having a coronavirus vaccine ready and if reports are true, the first doses could arrive by early 2021. Prime Minister Modi's recent statement at the UN general assembly also attested to the fact that vaccine development is going on at full swing. With at least 9 vaccines in critical stages and two being registered for use, here are all the updates regarding a COVID vaccine development:

After a lot of delays and speculations, Oxford University developed COVID vaccine, which is being marketed by British-Swedish firm, AstraZeneca worldwide has finally begun phase III testing in India. To be sold as 'Covishield', the prime vaccine candidate has been administered to three volunteers at KEM hospital, Mumbai and the next batch would be given the vaccine jab starting this week (September 28).

At least 17 sites have been shortlisted for conducting the trials in India. Over 1600 participants were part of the phase II trials in the past month.

As per guidelines, one out of four participants will be given a placebo drug, since it would be a randomized trial. Neccessary observations and checks would be made after a gap of four days, seven days and so forth.

According to the scientists responsible for monitoring the trials, the jab has been studied to deliver a strong immune response and spiked antibody levels in the body 14 days post inoculation.

Moderna Therapeutics' vaccine, which will mark the company's foray into the world of commercial vaccine sale and use is also seeing good advancements. The company was second only to Oxford to kick off phase III trials and has so far, enrolled 25,000 of the planned 30,0000 volunteers and experimental inoculation is underway. According to company reports, the earliest study from the wide-scale trials is expected by last week of October or early Novemeber, making way for a review in the last months of the year.

While Moderna has been excessively facing the pressure to release a vaccine early, the company has announced no such plans. However, reports so far have suggested that the mRNA technology, made use of in the development of the vaccine is safe and effective, and could potentially work for the younger and older age groups as well.

The company is also in talks with several countries to roll out their vaccines in the coming months but no mention of India has been made of yet.

Amid news of rolling out a vaccine for the masses, China, which was the epicentre of the disease outbreak has reportedly inoculated at least a lakh people across the country with doses of experimental vaccines being developed by Chinese scientists. While five vaccines are being worked on, two are in phase II/III trials are were also granted military approval in the month of June.

While China's move follows Russia's plans of mass inoculation, the uncomplacent safety studies of the vaccines are making global leaders worry. While questions are being raised over the lack of efficacy and safety issues, China has reportedly said that the plans for emergency authorisation were given the go-ahead by the World Health Organisation. No other details, from the name to the workability of the vaccine has been released.

Interestingly, news of a link-up between China and the World Health Organisation (WHO) downplaying the COVID-19 risk has been doing the rounds of late, after a whistleblower, Chinese virologist Dr Li-Meng Yan spoke in an interview about the same, reportedly suggesting that the virus has been engineered in a lab by Chinese scientists.

Amid controversies and news of expedited trials abroad, the latest report surrounding Sputnik V suggests that the vaccine is able to live upto its promised aim, and delivers tolerable immunity after the first shot. Alexander Gintsburg, the head of Moscow’s state-run Gamaleya research institute, heading the trials said that enough samples have been observed to conclude the safe workings of the vaccine. He also added that an additional dose would only be required to 'extend' the immunity period. Howeverit is unclear as to how long would the first bout of immunity last:

“For some, the protective level of antibodies is produced after the first vaccination and they need the second one to extend that protection. They will likely be protected two weeks after the first vaccination,” Gintsburg also stated that the chances of reinfection, post-vaccination are likely to be "low" or "weak".

“If there is [an infection between the first and second shots], it will occur in a weaker form."

Russia is in the middle of country-wide inoculation. First batches of the vaccine have been made ready to be administered to essential workers first. Talks have also been made with India, with pharma giant, Dr Reddy's all set to bring the vaccine to India, produce ample doses for the public after it goes through phase III trials, clearances and required nods from the DGCI. As per reports, the administration could start as early as January next year.

Bharat Biotech, ICMR and National Institute of Virology, Pune (NIV) backed Covaxin is making steady progress and winning praise from proud Indians. According to chief investigators monitoring the phase II trials of the vaccine, the candidate is able to deliver strong immunogenicity response and delivers low, or no side-effects. If all goes well, phase III of the vaccine would be started soon pan India, beginning in Lucknow.

The vaccine candidate, one of the first ones to head to crucial trial stage in India is also seeing active participation from the general public. From businessmen, students, PhD scholars, experts from the medical community, doctors have been flooded with volunteer queries, 80% of them being men.

Serum Institute of India, which is spearheading trials of Covisheild will also be going forth with the vaccine testing of another candidate, US-based Novavaxm, which has shown impressive results in early clinical studies. According to reports, the vaccine maker will also be helping the American company produce millions of doses (50 per cent of which will be meant for India) in the coming year, and helping in the manufacture of the antigen component of the vaccine.

The trial will also see participation from ICMR (Indian Council of Medical Research) and the National AIDS Research Corporation. This will be the third international vaccine to undergo clinical trials in India.

Novavax is currently undergoing trials in centres across the UK and South Africa, which has seen participation from people over the age of 65 (high-risk category) as well, giving hope that it will be safer for older generations as well. Novavax is also one of the nine companies to pledge to not to submit their vaccine to the FDA before achieving neccessary safety reports from trials, adding that there was "no chance for a shortcut route to be made"