The vaccine hasn’t completed phase 3 trials, so we can’t be sure it will be safe and effective for all. The Australian government’s deal is contingent on these trials being successful.
The federal government has signed a letter of intent with drug company AstraZeneca to supply a COVID-19 vaccine to Australia.
On Aug. 11, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced that a coronavirus vaccine developed in the country has been registered for use.
Russian Health Ministry/Handout/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images
As Russia fast tracks a coronavirus vaccine, scientists worry about skipped safety checks – and the potential fallout for trust in vaccines if something ends up going wrong.
A scientist holding a coronavirus vaccine at the Nikolai Gamaleya National Center of Epidemiology and Microbiology in Moscow, Russia.
Alexander Zemlianichenko Jr/Russian Direct Investment Fund/AP/AAP
Whether a coronavirus vaccine involves a live virus or a carrier organism, it will probably require more than one injection. But that’s not a bad thing.
Who are in the hoodies?
BeeBright/iStock/Getty Images Plus
The Russian cyberthreat, now targeting coronavirus vaccine research, goes back over three decades, extends into the country’s educational systems and criminal worlds, and shows no signs of letting up.
Vaccine development is usually a long process. The coronavirus pandemic is forcing researchers to innovate and test potential vaccines faster than ever before.
Visitors look at new anti-SARS outfits for medical workers on display Thursday Nov. 6, 2003 in Shanghai, China, as the country braced for a resurgence. The disease never made a comeback.
AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko
COVID-19 and SARS are both deadly – but different. SARS symptoms were quick to appear, making it easier to contain. Because health officials were able to contain it, the virus died off.
These online spaces are more regulated than many media reports would have you believe. And the vast majority of dark web traders are steering clear of exploiting the pandemic.
Dr. Anthony Fauci said that a vaccine could be available as early as January 2021.
AP Photo/Alex Brandon/File
As most of the world early awaits a vaccine for COVID-19, a smaller group of people scoffs. They could spell real trouble in the effort to build widespread immunity.
Colourized scanning electron micrograph of a cell heavily infected with SARS-CoV-2 virus particles.
(The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases/Flickr)
Fundamental research has informed what we know about coronaviruses up until the pandemic. With possible future outbreaks, continuing and developing this type of work is crucial.
Mechanical ventilators are often used in life and death situations, treating patients with pneumonia, brain injury and stroke. One mechanical ventilator can cost up to A$82,000.
The head lice drug Ivermectin has stopped SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, from replicating in lab tests. But we don’t know if it will work as a treatment for people with coronavirus.
A vaccine must go through six crucial steps.
PhotobyTawat/ Shutterstock
It seems as though every other day we’re told a cure has been found for coronavirus. This is not strictly true – but there are some therapeutic options showing promise.
There are many ways to make a vaccine. In a time of crisis, the more paths towards success the better.
Adriana Duduleanu / EyeEm via Getty Images
Under pressure to develop a coronavirus vaccine, researchers have turned to protein synthesis, genetics and hybrid viruses. It is likely a mix of these approaches will be used to fight the coronavirus.