Attention on COVID-19 Vaccines Using the 'Hapseong Hangwon' Method
Novavax 'New Bexovid' SK Bioscience 'Skycovione'... Safety Secured
[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Gwan-ju] As additional COVID-19 vaccinations are recommended in preparation for a resurgence this fall, vaccines using the 'synthetic antigen' method are gaining attention. Unlike the messenger RNA (mRNA) method, which was first utilized in the development of COVID-19 vaccines, this platform has been used for a long time in several vaccines, proving its safety and efficacy.
According to data from 'Our World in Data,' operated by the University of Oxford in the UK, as of the 30th of last month, only 16.2% of the population in low-income countries have received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine. Only 57 countries have vaccinated more than 70% of their population, and most of these are developed countries.
However, concerns about vaccine safety continue to cause vaccine hesitancy. According to a paper published in the international journal Public Health in March last year, the main reasons for avoiding COVID-19 vaccination were concerns about vaccine safety and the risks associated with vaccines developed in a short period.
In this context, synthetic antigen COVID-19 vaccines are expected to alleviate vaccine hesitancy based on their high safety and ease of storage. Synthetic antigen vaccines work by injecting viral antigen proteins into the body to generate antibodies, protecting us from the virus. This method has been confirmed safe as it has been used in vaccines for influenza, hepatitis B, and cervical cancer. Currently, the only approved synthetic antigen vaccine is Novavax's 'Nuvaxovid.' SK Bioscience's 'Skycovione (GBP510),' which is about to receive product approval, also applies the synthetic antigen method.
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The synthetic antigen method has advantages in storage and distribution, helping to resolve global vaccine supply imbalances. Currently, developing countries face difficulties in supply despite sufficient vaccine quantities due to inadequate 'cold chain' systems for ultra-low temperature storage. Synthetic antigen vaccines can be stored and distributed under refrigerated conditions of 2 to 8 degrees Celsius, making vaccination possible in relatively wide areas.
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