Pandemic Prevention Innovation Alliance, "COVID-19 Vaccine Could Be Available Within This Year If Fast"

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] The Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI), which supports COVID-19 vaccine programs worldwide, announced that a COVID-19 vaccine could be released as early as this year. Direct vaccination is expected to be possible within the next year and a half at the earliest. However, some voices have raised concerns about potential side effects if the vaccine is released too quickly without undergoing sufficient verification periods.

According to Bloomberg News on the 27th (local time), CEPI stated that a COVID-19 vaccine could be released within this year, and vaccination could be possible within the previously planned target of 12 to 18 months. According to CEPI, the Oxford University team led by epidemic expert Professor Sarah Gilbert has begun vaccine trials, and efficacy results are expected from September.

Richard Hatchett, CEO of CEPI, said, "Currently, several vaccines could be available for emergency use by summer," adding, "If cooperation among pharmaceutical companies is strengthened and clinical trial registration procedures are simplified, vaccination could start sooner than expected."

Some are concerned that if the COVID-19 vaccine is released too quickly, serious side effects may occur. Most vaccines to date have undergone years of testing before market release, but the COVID-19 vaccine is expected to be distributed immediately upon development due to the ongoing spread, with global confirmed cases surpassing 3 million. Hatchett emphasized, "We are seriously considering that rapid vaccine development in the past has led to adverse outcomes," and stressed, "Ensuring safety and efficacy is absolutely crucial."

CEPI was established in 2017 with support from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, operated by Bill Gates, founder of Microsoft (MS), as well as Norway, Germany, Japan, and other countries. It has conducted vaccine research for global epidemic infectious diseases such as Ebola and Zika virus.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.