Advertisement
Coronavirus vaccine
EconomyChina Economy

Global Impact newsletter: a coronavirus vaccine and the return to normal

  • Global Impact is a fortnightly curated newsletter featuring a news topic originating in China with a significant macro impact for our newsreaders around the world
  • The topic of the first offering is one that affects all of us: the urgent quest for a vaccine to combat the coronavirus pandemic

4-MIN READ4-MIN
The topic of the first Global Impact fortnightly curated newsletter is one that affects all of us: the urgent quest for a vaccine to combat the coronavirus pandemic. Photo: AFP
John Carter

We all want to know how soon our lives can return to anything resembling the “normal” of late last year, before the novel coronavirus outbreak and Covid-19.

There is no clear answer yet. What we need is a vaccine that will allow us the peace of mind to resume doing the things we took for granted only six months ago.

A vaccine is not just a physical barrier against infection, but also a psychological shield against the fear of engaging in social activities in crowded places – going to the movies, attending sporting events, or just hanging out at the beach.

Advertisement

But the development of an effective vaccine may take at least another year, scientists say. Attempts to short-cut the process carry grave risks, as an unproven vaccine could be as dangerous as the virus.

Creating an effective vaccine is a daunting task, as described in our latest podcast. In addition to identifying the biological agent to study, months and months of clinical trials are necessary to ensure that the cure is not worse than the disease. And then you have to manufacture billions of doses of the vaccine and distribute them safely around the world.

01:43

Steroid dexamethasone a life-saving treatment for very ill Covid-19 patients, UK study indicates

Steroid dexamethasone a life-saving treatment for very ill Covid-19 patients, UK study indicates
Unsurprisingly, politics could get in the way, with nations already fighting over who gets the first doses of any vaccine developed.
Advertisement
Advertisement
Select Voice
Select Speed
1.00x