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Looks like the COVID vaccines did set record for shortest development time

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Posted 7/23/2021 3:40 PM (GMT 0)
That's according to the article below, which compares the time it took for the development of vaccines for things like chicken pox, influenza, and rotavirus to the eleven months it took to get the COVID vaccines.

And it looks like eleven months is 100-yard-dash sprinter speed compared to the times it took for those other things.

From the article:

"Vaccines typically take at least a decade to develop, test and manufacture. Both the chickenpox vaccine and FluMist, which protects against several strains of the influenza virus, took 28 years to develop. It took 15 years to develop a vaccine for human papilloma virus, which can cause six kinds of cancer. It also took 15 years to develop a vaccine for rotavirus, which commonly causes severe, watery diarrhea. It took Jonas Salk six years to develop and test the first polio vaccine, starting with the isolation of the virus. The Pfizer-BioNTech and the Moderna COVID-19 messenger RNA vaccines, by contrast, have been developed in less than a year. That’s a game-changer."

The article then goes on to detail some of the biological and chemical factors (and some of them are a bit technical, at least for me) that made it possible to achieve the vaccines in record time.

Also rather interesting is the account of how research-versus-manufacturing priorities were balanced during development:

"... the pharmaceutical companies launched at-risk manufacturing – which means that the manufactured vaccine doses would be thrown away if the vaccine was ineffective or unsafe – during the FDA-mandated two-month safety waiting period ... The upside is that if the vaccine is safe and effective, it can be distributed immediately, and vaccination can begin."

And despite record development times, the vaccines are safe, the article maintains.

It all made me think of this process as a kind of Manhattan Project for contagion, with unrelenting concentration, and maximum work acceleration, in order to get to the result as quickly as possible.

Another clear benefit of this work is that it sets in place a model for the future, in case, and we certainly hope it never happen, a new pandemic strikes the world, and a similar and immediate research and development project becomes essential.

If it does happen, we'll know we can do it at that time, because we did it now.

https://theconversation.com/covid-19-vaccines-were-developed-in-record-time-but-are-these-game-changers-safe-150249
Posted 7/23/2021 4:06 PM (GMT 0)
Well, in dire situations sometimes you roll the dice and then hold your breath. Under ordinary circumstances the vaccines would have taken years for FDA approval. So far, it seems that we've dodged any significant problems.

The vaccines have exceeded my wildest expectations. At this point, if you believe the numbers (I do, but some people obviously don't), more than 99% of those still dying haven't been vaccinated.
Posted 7/23/2021 7:07 PM (GMT 0)
The other thing that helped with the clinical trials is that during Phase III, there was a tremendous amount of covid going around so the numbers that they gathered statistically significant data much more quickly than they otherwise would have.
Posted 7/23/2021 7:22 PM (GMT 0)
the year was 2020 and we were facing a 100-year global pandemic, and only half of the united states has been fully vaccinated.

"by your living or dying example"
Posted 7/23/2021 7:45 PM (GMT 0)
Michael makes a very good point!
We can also note that 'basic' research on RNA vaccines against similar corona viruses had been ongoing for several years.
Posted 7/23/2021 9:02 PM (GMT 0)
There was also a lot of money thrown at the vaccine from around the world with the US probably the biggest funder by far. There was also a guarantee of immense numbers of doses to various companies by the wealthy countries.

The real FDA approval may still take years the way they are going. The RNA method was also a game changer which allowed fast production of many doses and seems to have limited side effects so far.
Posted 7/23/2021 9:19 PM (GMT 0)

Mumbo said...
There was also a lot of money thrown at the vaccine from around the world with the US probably the biggest funder by far. There was also a guarantee of immense numbers of doses to various companies by the wealthy countries.....

My understanding of the Pfizer vaccine is that the company had the commitment of a huge purchase if there was a successful vaccine, but took no US dollars from Warp Speed for the initial development.

Djin
Posted 7/23/2021 9:32 PM (GMT 0)
Djin - True, although BioNTech of Pfizer/BioNTech did receive funding from Germany, approx 1/2 billion, which is why I snuck the word “world” into my post….

Money/funding still makes things happen, a few billionaires made it to space last week as well.
Posted 7/23/2021 11:07 PM (GMT 0)

Mumbo said...
Djin - True, although BioNTech of Pfizer/BioNTech did receive funding from Germany, approx 1/2 billion, which is why I snuck the word “world” into my post….

Money/funding still makes things happen, a few billionaires made it to space last week as well.

You can take that (fact) to the bank -- since we haven't got any of that money.

Djin
Posted 7/24/2021 12:08 AM (GMT 0)


One's experiences shape one's perspective ...

Both of my folks and my sister contracted corona virus last fall, before the vaccine was available.

Dad was saved in the "nick of time" by an infusion of convalescent plasma from a corona survivor, and spent weeks on oxygen --- recovering in a rehabilitation hospital.

My 3 family members still have lingering side effects, from the virus.

As a teacher --- in a school packed with hundreds of unvaccinated kids --- it was a GODSEND when my entire school staff finally qualified for the Pfizer vaccine --- after months of waiting --- and trying to navigate our way through an unprecedented school year.

The lagging vaccination rates this summer are worrisome --- including among junior high school and high school students.

Elementary schools are going to be in a precarious spot, since the vaccine is not yet approved for children under 12 ... and another school year is just around the corner.

The virus greatly impacted the final months of the 2019-2020 school year, with most schools across the nation shutting down --- then completely redefined the entire 2020-2021 school year --- and it now looks like the 2021-2022 school year will be impacted, as well

Last week, I visited with my main oncologist. He is also certified in infectious disease.

We had a meaningful conversation about the possibility of the corona BOOSTER shot ---- that may become recommended, down the road.

He stated he is watching the preliminary study reports carefully, but said it's certainly something we will discuss in the future.

I asked --- if the clinical studies are favorable --- if he would be interested in receiving the booster for himself ---- as well as recomnending it for his oncology patients.

He is DEFINITELY an advocate for the current vaccine protocol --- and is ready to recommend the corona vaccine booster to patients, if the studies prove to be favorable ...

Experiences, thoughts, reflections ---
CYCLONE ••• # Iowa State University

Post Edited (Cyclone-ISU) : 7/23/2021 6:29:39 PM (GMT-6)

Posted 7/24/2021 12:56 AM (GMT 0)
Cyclone - My wife met with her oncologist at the U of MN last week and asked her about the 3rd vaccine shot (for the second time at my urging). Her oncologist was much more agreeable to the concept this time around based on the obvious logic for those who are immunocompromised. It looks to me like the medical establishment is becoming more comfortable with the concept and it will be a good idea for the rest of was once they cross that bridge with compromised patients.
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Posted 7/24/2021 1:41 AM (GMT 0)

Like your wife, Mumbo, I wanted to just broach the subject --- regarding the possibility of the booster --- when and if it becomes recommended.

For obvious reasons, I was wanting to hear my oncologist's thoughts --- since he is familiar with my dad's case --- leukemia survivor, prostate cancer survivor, and now corona survivor.

These are early days, I well understand --- but when my oncologist gives me the GREEN LIGHT, I will pursue the booster vaccine ---- down the road.

I have lost a few friends to corona in recent months --- and a colleague from my school who was my age.

My family's "story" --- with my folks and sister battling corona last fall --- encouraged many townspeople --- back in my hometown ---- to get vaccinated.

CYCLONE --- # I.S.U.
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