- Testing of the coronavirus vaccine is taking place around the world, but the race to produce the first viable vaccine means many volunteers.
- A participant in the Oxford vaccine trials has offered a window into what it’s like to be on the front lines of the fight against COVID-19
- The odds of a vaccine being available before the end of 2020 are still slim.
The new coronavirus pandemic continues to dominate the headlines worldwide, and it is becoming clearer, especially in countries like the United States, where many people seem to think that wearing a mask is a joke, that a vaccine will be our best bet to return. to “normal” daily life. There are a number of vaccine trials currently underway around the world, and one of the most promising, called the Oxford Vaccine Trial, is currently underway in the UK.
Now, a participant in those tests is offering an insight into what it’s like to be on the front lines of the race to develop life-saving treatment. In an interview with SlashdotJennifer Riggins, trial participant, talks extensively about her experiences as a test subject.
The vaccine tests are blind, which means that the volunteers do not really know whether or not they received the test vaccine or a placebo. “Now that the Phase I results have been published and this vaccine is my favorite so far, it is even more exciting, even though there is only a 50 percent chance that I will be vaccinated with Covid,” explains Riggins. “I won’t know which one I supposedly had until 12 months after receiving the first dose. It could change as the research and everything related to the trial evolves more rapidly, but I have no expectations before that. ”
Still, Riggins has to follow strict rules that extend up to a year after the vaccine has been administered. You are prohibited from donating blood and it is recommended to avoid pregnancy at all costs. You are also prohibited from taking COVID tests that are not administered by the investigators conducting the trial.
You have to participate in weekly tests and report any side effects you have experienced. She notes that she had some “minor side effects” after the initial dose was administered, but they have decreased since then.
She also has a few words of warning for anyone taking a lazy approach to the pandemic in hopes that a vaccine will miraculously appear before the end of 2020.
“I am concerned that people, especially Americans, are risking their lives with the promise of a vaccine in the fall,” she says. “This is dangerous and essentially impossible. Now is not the time to go back to normal. It is time to stay distant and wear a mask. It’s crap how few are wearing masks in central London, even when now it’s finally enforced. Do not be selfish.
Mike Wehner has reported on technology and video games for the past decade, covering the latest news and trends in virtual reality, handheld devices, smartphones, and future technology. Most recently, Mike served as technical editor at The Daily Dot, and has appeared on USA Today, Time.com, and countless other websites and in print. His love of reporting is second only to his addiction to games.
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