Half of the year has already been passed and people are still scared. With one of the worst virus outbreak that was witnessed in human history.

Although, it has a very low mortality rate compared to other viruses. But, the panic it has created is way severe. Because of which the whole world has been at a halt for a long time now, with some real drawbacks. 

Oxford Vaccine:

Positive news for the whole world has been conveyed by the researchers at Oxford, as the antibody AZD1222 is showing positive results.

Recently, Oxford University researchers confirmed that their vaccine is working, which was stated after the success of human trials in Phase I/II.

According to reports, The Lancet medical journal is calling the vaccine safe for human trials and illicit required immunity in the body. They are even assumed to be well tolerated and immunogenic.

The trials were done on a group of volunteers who were aged from 18-55. Their studies suggest that the vaccine, AZD1222 can produce a dual response in volunteers along with a strong T-cell response.  With this response, Oxford is moving towards its phase III trials, which will be done on a large scale.

Indian Vaccine:

Along with Oxford, Bharat Biotech, Pune who came up with COVAXIN and Zydus, Ahmedabad, manufacturers of  ZyCoV-D are also in pace. These both pharmaceutical companies have entered their phase I/II of vaccine trials in India.

Meanwhile, Oxford University, UK, and AstraZeneca, which is a British –Swedish Pharmaceutical company have made a deal with an India based private vaccine manufacturer, Serum Institute of India (SII).

This deal has been made to come up with a large number of doses. These dosses are expected to arrive before the end of this year.

Russian Vaccine:

Amongst all of these vaccines, Russia stood first to complete its clinical human trials. These trials also had proven to have a positive effect in treating the virus.

Elena Smolyarchuk, head of Center for Clinical Research in Russia and Chief Researcher, has quoted that the vaccine has been proved to be safe for humans.

Gamaleya National Research Center for Epidemiology and Microbiology had developed this vaccine and around 38 volunteers were dosed with it. Two different types of vaccines were tested in two separate rounds.

In the first test, held at Burdenko Military Hospital the vaccine was given in the form of a solution for intramuscular administration. During these first trials, Only 18 patients were tested. While, during second trial of 28 volunteers, a powder vaccine was given for the preparation of solution for intramuscular administration. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University carried out these vaccine trials.

All of these patients developed immunity after the trials. The patients were discharged after keeping them in isolation for 28 days. These patients were discharged on July 15 & July 20.

The Oxford vaccine is also being tested in South Africa and Brazil. The Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI), have been supporting these tests. For which Astra Zeneca will manufacture 300 million doses.

Looking at the progress, it is expected that the vaccine might be available till the end of 2020.

Other countries competing:

Other countries like the USA, Israel, China, Thailand, and several others have also been preparing to fight Covid-19 and come up with their homegrown vaccine.  

Israel:

The Israel Institute for Biological Research (IIBR)has been developing a vaccine to neutralize the effects of coronavirus. Animal clinical trials have been completed and for further development, IIBR is funded with $12 million.

USA:

The USA had already authorized Remdesivir, by Gilead Sciences which is an antiviral drug for emergency use.

USA will soon launch another an anti-body developed by Regeneron, till the September. Alongside, Moderna, Johnson & Johnson also have been reported to be working on the same.  

The containment of Covid-19 through a vaccine is a global emergency at this time. For which even Italy came up with a potential drug.

Researchers of Takis have managed to successfully develop antibodies in rodents, which is expected to work on humans as well.

Spallanzani Hospital in Rome held these vaccine trails.              

Sinopharm Group runs the Wuhan and the Beijing Institute of Biological Products. Sinopharm is working with the Chinese Centre for Disease Control and Prevention.