Vaccine against SARS-CoV-2: Challenges and considerations.

Ruchi Chaube

doi:10.14745/ccdr.v47i03a01

Abstract

It is essential to consider challenges previously faced and addressed while developing a vaccine against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Considering the severity of the health crisis that SARS-CoV-2 has caused worldwide, and with so little known about the virus, our focus should be drawn towards approaches that can bring better development outcomes in a relatively short period of time. This commentary discusses the use of nucleic acid (deoxyribonucleic acid and ribonucleic acid) vaccines against viral infections and pandemic-like settings. The potential advantages of the nucleic acid vaccines over conventional vaccines are presented, and the nucleic acid vaccines currently in development against viral infections and the challenges these vaccines face entering clinical trial are discussed.

Highlights

A novel coronavirus, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), causing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), entered the human population and rapidly spread around the world in the early months of 2020, causing a global pandemic
There has been a surge in vaccine candidates since the pandemic started; vaccine protection from SARS-CoV-2 hinges on two questions: first, how soon a vaccine can be made available for use; and second, will the vaccine(s) be protective enough to completely prevent the further spread of the virus
In 2016, during the Zika crisis, a preclinical study conducted in non-human primates using a vaccine containing deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) constructs that expressed precursor membrane and envelope protein of the virus demonstrated correlation of antibody levels and protection

Summary

Introduction

A novel coronavirus, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), causing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), entered the human population and rapidly spread around the world in the early months of 2020, causing a global pandemic. A vaccine (or vaccines) against SARS-CoV-2 would help develop community immunity against the virus and prevent the spread and recurrence of the disease at the population level.

Results

Conclusion