Can a Multi-Epitope Vaccine be a solution for COVID-19 pandemic?

Abstract

COVID-19 virus, SARS-CoV-2 first reported from Wuhan City of Hubei Province of China became pandemic infectious disease of severe respiratory disorder. Globally 17.8 Cr population was effected within a short span of period leading to 38.6 L deaths. Coronoviruses are large enveloped RNA viruses of Coronaviridae. Coronavirus employs a complex gene expression and pathway system unique among RNA viruses. SARA-CoV-2 is reported to mutate and variants reported to have one specific mutation, D614G which is makes to spread faster. WHO is monitoring and assessing the evolution of SARS-CoV-2 and notified Variants of Concern (VOCs) and Variants of Interest (VOIs), in order to prioritise the activities globally on containing COVID-19 pandemic. Currently genetic lineages by GISAID, Nextstrain and Pango are in use to code variants detected and being labeled using letters of the Greek Alphabet, i.e., Alpha, Beta, Gamma and Delta etc. Presently 15 vaccines were developed based on the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein, of original Wuhan-hu-1 and being administered in different countries. Surveillance and monitoring of the genomic sequence of SARS-CoV-2 is being done on a priority as virus is mutating for development of effective vaccine or therapeutic measures. Only 0.8% of people in low-income countries have received a single dose out of 20.8% of the world population which is a big concern for vulnerable groups.