The coronavirus shares an estimated 80% to 90% of its genetic material with Sars.

This is why it is known as Sars-CoV-2. Both viruses have a strip of ribonucleic

acid (RNA) inside a spherical protein capsule that is covered in spikes. The spikes
allow the virus to lock onto the receptors of the human cells and enter them. It
then destroys the reproducing ability of the cell and exits it, before killing the
cell completely.

All vaccines have been produced in the same manner. Part of a pathogen is injected
into the human body so that our immune systems produce anti-bodies to defend
against the virus. Antibodies have been defined as a form of immune memory. This
memory, when triggered once, has the ability to mobilise again when the same virus
attacks.

Humans have produced vaccines using the same method. Part or the whole of a virus
(after being exposed to heat so that it is weakened) is injected into the human
body so that antibodies can be produced. However, it does have its side effects as
the virus remains in the human body longer, making the host sick. However, as
explained in an article by The Guardian, companies are also making use of
technology to produce vaccines.

“One more recent strategy – the one that Novavax is using, for example – constructs
a “recombinant” vaccine. This involves extracting the genetic code for the protein
spike on the surface of Sars-CoV-2, which is the part of the virus most likely to
provoke an immune reaction in humans, and pasting it into the genome of a bacterium
or yeast – forcing these microorganisms to churn out large quantities of the
protein. Other approaches, even newer, bypass the protein and build vaccines from
the genetic instruction itself. This is the case for Moderna and another Boston
company, CureVac, both of which are building Covid-19 vaccines out of messenger
RNA,” read the report in The Guardian.

The process of conducting human trials and tests is done in three phases. First, it
involves testing the vaccine on a few healthy human volunteers and then, monitor
them for side effects. Phase two consists of testing the vaccine on several
hundreds of human beings, typically those who live in the country where the virus
has spread. The third phase is conducting the tests on thousands of people.

But there are also problems associated with producing vaccines. For one, it is not
possible to produce them in huge quantities. Say some company successfully creates
a vaccine that treats the disease. Coming up with it in huge quantities quickly to
heal more than a million patients across the globe will be quite difficult.

Then there is the problem of side effects as well. For instance, in the 1960s, a
vaccine against respiratory syncytial virus was produced that was found to
aggravate cold-like symptoms in children. Medical experts believe a similar vaccine
for the coronavirus will have to be tested through stringent safety testing to
ensure it does not cause dangerous side effects or diseases.

“Like most vaccinologists, I don’t think this vaccine will be ready before 18
months,” says Annelies Wilder-Smith, professor of emerging infectious diseases at
the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine.

The challenges will not end for governments around the globe if and when a
coronavirus vaccine is created. The important question then will be: how will the
vaccines be distributed among nations, governments, and ultimately, the people?

Take, for instance, the example of the N1H1 flu pandemic. Its vaccines were snapped
up by countries that could afford them in huge quantities. Countries that were poor
and could not afford the vaccines were left out and their ill suffered.
Or take the example of India, for instance, a nation comprised of more than a
billion people. India supplies vaccines in large quantities to developing
countries. What if the Indian government decides to treat its patients with the
injections first before it decides to export any to other countries?

In conclusion, the world seems so far clueless as to when it will come up with a
coronavirus vaccine. Scientists and governments are working on it but it seems
clear, according to the opinion of medical experts that once the vaccines are
available, the challenges won’t end.