Amid the ongoing fury of the Covid-19 pandemic, all eyes are on the launch of an effective vaccine. Vaccine producers are conducting clinical trials as countries close new deals. Aside from concerns about the safety of trial vaccines, the spate of deals has become a new concern, as wealthier nations have an advantage in reserving vaccines in advance, which can lead to unavailability for others. countries.
Here are the latest updates on the Covid-19 vaccine:
Hong Kong to start nasal spray test
Hong Kong will begin trials of an experimental vaccine to be administered by nasal spray. This vaccine will be a double vaccine, to be used for both influenza and Covid-19.
The research on the experimental aerosol received funding from the Coalition for Innovations in Epidemic Preparedness in Norway and the Hong Kong government, and will join dozens of clinical trials around the world aimed at identifying safe and effective vaccines to prevent the Covid-19, Bloomberg reported.
Department of Microbiology, University of Hong Kong. The candidate vaccine is similar to a nasal spray flu vaccine already on the market that is designed to start working where respiratory viruses typically enter the body: the nose.
The European Union seals a new agreement with Johnson & Johnson
The European Commission has closed an agreement with Johnson & Johnson to supply its possible Covid-19 vaccine for up to 400 million people. This is the third advance purchase contract signed by the EU. The other two were with Astrazeneca and Sanofi.
Oxford vaccine is safe in India so far
Approximately 53 people who participated in the Covid-19 vaccine trials at the Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER) reported no major side effects seven days after being vaccinated.
China joins COVAX
China has formally joined COVAX, an initiative of the World Health Organization, which will ensure the equitable distribution of vaccines around the world. The United States and Russia have yet to join this global group of vaccines.
Moderna will not enforce patent rights
Vaccine producer Moderna has said it will not enforce patents against other vaccine manufacturers during the pandemic. “Moderna recognizes that intellectual property rights play an important role in fostering investment in research… Beyond Moderna’s vaccine, there are other Covid-19 vaccines in development that may utilize Moderna’s proprietary technologies. We feel a special obligation in the current circumstances to use our resources to end this pandemic as quickly as possible, ”the company said in the statement.
“Consequently, as long as the pandemic continues, Moderna will not enforce our Covid-19-related patents against those who manufacture vaccines intended to combat the pandemic. Additionally, to remove any perceived intellectual property barriers to vaccine development during the pandemic period, we are also willing to license our intellectual property for Covid-19 vaccines to others during the post-pandemic period, ”it reads in the notice.
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