Any COVID-19 vaccine is likely to be given first to higher risk groups before it is given to children. But we still need vaccines that are safe and effective for them too.
Pregnant women are at increased risk for serious COVID-19 complications and should be a high-priority group for vaccination. Excluding them from vaccine trials puts them and their offspring at risk.
There are many scientific and ethical challenges ahead. But these types of trials have helped in the development of vaccines against a few diseases. Could they do the same for COVID-19?
Jessica C Lai, Te Herenga Waka — Victoria University of Wellington
New Zealand has entered several international agreements to access COVID-19 vaccines, but it should also amend domestic patent law and regulatory processes to prevent delays and costly negotiations.
With lives depending on a vaccine, trust in Canada’s COVID-19 Vaccine Task Force is crucial. Members of the task force need to make any industry links or potential conflicts of interest publicly clear.
Our first exposure to a pathogen, either naturally or via vaccination, can affect how our immune system responds in the future to the same or similar pathogens.
Will a vaccine for COVID-19 be safe? Animal testing, human clinical trials and post-approval surveillance give us good grounds to believe that a future approved vaccine will work and be safe.
Our best shot at ending the pandemic is by achieving herd immunity through widespread use of a vaccine. But that won’t happen unless people believe it’s safe.
Clear messages from experts helped New Zealand to contain COVID-19 outbreaks. The same is now necessary to counter vaccine misinformation and to build public trust in vaccination.
The vaccines being tested in South Africa have been included on the World Health Organization’s list of 26 most viable candidate vaccines to enter human clinical trials.
Church leaders have raised concerns over a COVID-19 vaccine produced using cells derived from aborted foetuses. But the Vatican has already ruled such vaccines ‘morally separate’ from the abortions.
Those opposing vaccinations often mistrust government, science and the news media. There may be better ways to persuade them than by offering facts only.
Paediatrician at the Royal Childrens Hospital and Associate Professor and Clinician Scientist, University of Melbourne and MCRI, Murdoch Children's Research Institute