Effective SARS-CoV-2 Vaccines on the Horizon

Novel coronavirus identified as SARS-CoV-2 has brought unprecedented sufferings to people in almost all countries across the globe during the recent time. Efforts are continued to develop effective vaccines against the disease. Presently, the efforts of six groups namely, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK; Sinovac, China; Moderna Inc., USA; Wuhan Institute, China; Beijing Institute, China; and Bio N Tech, Germany are more significant. Noteworthy progress in the development of vaccines is in sight, and by the mid-2021 new vaccines may start appearing in the market. All these six vaccines are deployed through intramuscular route. There are a few others which are in the developmental stage and are to be delivered through intradermal, intranasal and event through the oral route. Specialized adjuvants have been used to elicit stronger immune response in certain types of candidates. Sensitized immune cells and genetically modified cells are also being experimented upon to contain the virus through immunological mode.