Potential Corona Vaccine

Pittco Vacc

On April 2, 2020 UPMC released an article discussing the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine’s recent research on a potential corona vaccine, that they have named Pittsburgh Corona Vaccine (Pittco Vacc). This vaccine is based off of mRNA. It works by synthetically made pieces of viral protein that will build immunity to Covid 19. In addition, they want to administer it in a unconventional way. They want to use a fingertip sized patch, similar to a Band Aid, that contains many tiny needles that will inject the protein into the skin. It has been used in mice trials, and is applying to the FDA to be allowed to be used in human trials.

The team that is working on this vaccine gained knowledge from the SARS and MERS virus outbreaks that occurred earlier in the decade. Through previous studies on these viruses it was made known that immunity was dependent on a spike protein. This gave a good starting point to the Pittsburgh researchers, due to the similarities between SARS, MERS, and COVID. The reason for the unconventional manner of giving the vaccine is to allow for easy transportation and manufacturing of the vaccine. This is because it will not need to be refrigerated once it is produced. Unfortunately, it will likely need at least a year of testing in human patients, and those trials have not started yet. I am optimistic because this seems like a hopeful option for a vaccine, and it is very innovative, but it is also scary to think of how many more people will be affected before the vaccine is safe to use.

Janssen Vaccine

Thankfully, there are many different teams and organizations working to develop vaccines. One of those teams in Janssen Research and Development, through the company Johnson & Johnson. This vaccine is hoping to start human trials sometime mid 2020, making a vaccine available to the public in early 2021. This research group has the support of the HHS and BARDA, which will hopefully lead to accelerated trials and development. Getting FDA approval will also be another step before this vaccine can be used. The FDA has already approved 20 different tests for corona. I am hopeful that once human trials begin, a vaccine will be available soon after that. Also, maybe this pandemic will change the opinion of those who have “anti vaccination” beliefs.