How much progress has been done on Coronavirus vaccine? Coronavirus vaccine is an arduous, million-dollar task nowadays when the coronavirus has become a global health crisis, killed thousands of people, and spreading throughout the world at an alarming rate, Considering the whole situation of pandemic created by the coronavirus, it puts huge pressure on scholars, researchers, and scientists, to create an effective vaccine for this disease. In the rest of the article, we’ll explore the top four pharmaceutical research going on in the world. These are: Novavax Corona Vaccine Experiment Moderna’s mRNA-1273 Regeneron’s REGN 3048-3051 INOVIO’s INO-4800 NOVAVAX CORONAVIRUS VACCINE EXPERIMENT Novavax is trying a new technique to create the coronavirus vaccine as a recombinant vaccine. In this, the genetic code for the protein spike on the surface of SARS-COV-2 is extracted, which is responsible to cause an immune reaction in humans. Then they pass over this genetic coding to bacterium or yeast that produces a large quantity of protein. Along with it, Boston company, CureVac, and Moderna are also trying to produce coronavirus vaccines out of messenger RNA. Up to date, there is no approved vaccine that is produced by the genetic material of RNA or DNA. MODERNA’S mRNA-1273 CORONAVIRUS VACCINE EXPERIMENT Moderna Inc. Of Cambridge, has started the phase I human clinical trial testing mRNA -1273 to produce the vaccine. The researchers are conducting this research to invent the vaccine in Washington, currently going through the first phase of the trial. In phase I trial, the researchers have tested 45 healthy human beings, adults aged between 18-55 for over 6 weeks. The subjects received the injection on day 1 and day 29 and will be monitored for 12 months after the second shot. Phase I focuses on the safety of the vaccine and to know if it is producing the immune response in humans. Later phases will focus more on its effectiveness against preventing the infection. This coronavirus vaccine differs from the traditional vaccines because they use the virus itself, while this vaccine uses the genetic sequence from messenger RNA of COVID-19. REGENERON’S REGN 3048-3051 VACCINE EXPERIMENT Regeneron’s pharmaceutical of Tarrytown, New York, is trying to produce a vaccine that will provide passive immunity to the people. It will work on the principle of directly injecting the preformed antibodies. The scientists of this pharmaceutical are working by modifying the immune system of mice to produce the vaccine. They have altered the mice’s immune system to that of humans, exposed them to the coronavirus and infected them. Then they have separated and isolated these antibodies. They have also isolated the antibodies produced by the people who have recovered from coronavirus. They will combine both antibodies and will formulate it as a vaccine. The advantage of combining both the antibodies to produce the vaccine is, that it will remain effective even if the virus mutates. This vaccine targets the spike protein present on the surface of the virus. This spike protein binds the virus to the host cell and causes an immune reaction. The Regeneron’s vaccine will target to block the spike protein interaction with the host cell, eventually neutralizing the virus. The doctors can also use this vaccine also as a drug for treating coronavirus, but according to the company, they will use it as a preventive measure for healthy people. INOVIO’S INO-4800 VACCINE EXPERIMENT Inovio’s pharmaceutical of Plymouth Meeting, Pennsylvania, is also approaching to produce the vaccine with the same technique of Moderna’s. Their approach is to insert DNA plasmids directly into the cells. They have optimized the plasmids and reorganized them by computer sequencing technique. The plasmids will replicate inside the human body and strengthen the natural human immune response. The company has already conducted its research on animals for the vaccine. They are hoping to start the trials on humans by April 2020, which will involve 30 healthy people. CONCLUSION The health care professionals are working day and night to design a vaccine. Experts say it will still take a year or more to create it. We have to be patient about the vaccine because scientists can not design these overnight. To market the coronavirus vaccine, scientists have to make sure it is safe and effective. The pharmaceutical companies are trying their best to invent a potent vaccine. We will soon get the way out for fighting against this contagious virus. Stay positive and protected! In case you feel any signs of coronavirus in you, get a certified doctor’s opinion through InstaCare Telemedicine; remotely, safely, and instantly.
Coronavirus is the immediate issue of our times. While the US is offering Germany tons of dollars to share the research regarding Corona, our very own virologist Dr. Idrees has manufactured corona kits in his own lab at Punjab University Lahore. He said in an interview to City 42 they have created this test kit through indigenous technology. It is yet to be confirmed that what exactly he meant by indigenous technology. During the conversation with the reporter, he said “Pakistan should not import kits. These kits are so expensive that our whole budget of health might get consumed.” As a solution, he proposed, “we should build our own kits. These kits cost only $5 and can test as much as 150 patients in a day.” When asked can he manufacture more, he said, “we are willing to join hands with the government and can create thousands of kits in a week.” But the same time, he advised that the government only share these kits to the labs that have BSL-2 (Biosafety level 2). Otherwise, it might infect lab workers, then their families, and so on. Adding to that he said, they are also working on the Corona vaccine which will get ready hopefully by the end of the week. One concern with the story is that the kits haven’t been tested yet. But Dr. Idrees has mentioned in the interview that they can start tests from even today. If that’s the case, then there are chances that vaccine will also be created soon.
Ayatollah Hashem Bathayi Golpayegani, who was 78, died two days after testing positive for the Corona (COVID-19) disease and being hospitalized, state news agency IRNA reported. The official represented Tehran in the Assembly of Experts, an 88-strong body of clerics that appoints and monitors Iran’s supreme leader. At least 12 Iranian politicians and officials, both sitting and former, have now died of the illness, and 13 more have been infected and are either in quarantine or being treated. The Coronavirus also killed a prominent economist and political activist, according to the semi-official news agency ISNA. Fariborz Rais-Dana, 71, succumbed to the illness after being hospitalized for six days, ISNA reported. Fariborz Rais-Dana, 71, succumbed to the illness after being hospitalized for six days, ISNA reported. A prolific writer with a Ph.D. from the London School of Economics, he had spent time in prison after being convicted of spreading propaganda against the system. According to the health ministry, the rising trend is due to the increasing number of tests being carried out. It says many patients started showing symptoms days after they were infected. Official tolls, which are given every 24 hours, have usually lagged behind reports by local media. Sometimes, these also have been contradicted by provincial authorities. Further, Iran is yet to impose a lockdown but it has temporarily closed Parliament, barred pilgrims from gathering at a holy tomb and postponed the second round of legislative elections. Officials have repeatedly urged citizens to stick to guidelines and stay at home to stop the coronavirus from spreading. Along with these, the total number of deaths in Iran has reached to 724. Iran is the third most Corona infected country in the world. Around 14,000 cases have been confirmed. Suspects and unreported are yet to be measured.
Can There Be Spread Of Corona Through Dentistry? Considering the situation worldwide, there are high possibilities that any kind of interaction between humans, animals or even objects contains a huge risk of the corona. Spread in 110 countries so far, it’s the immediate point of concern. As far as dentistry is concerned, being a profession that deals with the human mouth, it contains relatively more chances of spreading the virus. Corona through dentistry is something that is highly possible. The spread of Corona through dentistry According to research published in the International Journal of Oral Science, there are three major ways through which Corona can spread. These there are as following: Airborne Spread Contact Spread Contaminated Surfaces Spread Airborne Spread The dental papers indicate that numerous dental strategies produce pressurized canned products and beads that are polluted with the virus. Consequently, bead and airborne transmission of 2019-nCoV are the most significant worries in dental facilities and medical clinics, since it is difficult to maintain a strategic distance from the age of a lot of vaporized and bead blended in with patient’s salivation and even blood during dental practice. Notwithstanding the contaminated patient’s hack and breathing, dental gadgets, for example, fast dental handpiece utilizes rapid gas to drive the turbine to turn at high velocity and work with running water. At the point when dental gadgets work in the patient’s oral pit, a lot of vaporized and beads blended in with the patient’s spit or even blood will be produced. Particles of beads and pressurized canned products are sufficiently little to remain airborne for an all-encompassing period before they choose ecological surfaces or enter the respiratory tract. In this way, the 2019-nCoV can possibly spread through beads and pressurized canned products from tainted people in dental centers and emergency clinics. Contact Spread A dental expert’s continuous, immediate or circuitous contact with human liquids, tolerant materials, and defiled dental instruments or natural surfaces makes a potential course to the spread of viruses. Likewise, dental experts and different patients have likely contact of conjunctival, nasal, or oral mucosa with beads and pressurized canned products containing microorganisms created from a tainted individual and pushed a short separation by hacking and talking without a veil. Compelling contamination control methodologies are expected to forestall the spread of 2019-nCoV through these contact schedules. Contaminated Surfaces Spread Human coronaviruses such as SARS-CoV, Middle East Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV), or endemic human coronaviruses (HCoV) can persist on surfaces like metal, glass, or plastic for up to a couple of days. Therefore, contaminated surfaces that are frequently contacted in healthcare settings are a potential source of coronavirus transmission. Dental practices derived droplets and aerosols from infected patients, which likely contaminate the whole surface in dental offices. In addition, it was shown at room temperature that HCoV remains infectious from 2 h up to 9 days, and persists better at 50% compared with 30% relative humidity. Thus, keeping a clean and dry environment in the dental office would help decrease the persistence of 2019-nCoV. Preventing the spread of Corona through dentistry There are a few preventive measures that dentists must take to avoid any kind of transmission of Corona. A few of them are given as follows: Patient Evaluation If possible, make sure that you are aware of the patient’s history. With a person with positive Corona, it’s highly advised to be extremely careful. Use Instacare’s Telemedicine to have a complete medical session through a video call. This will reduce the chances of transmission. Hand Hygiene It’s been widely notified that washing hands regularly, significantly reduces the chances of virus transmission. Use a hand sanitizer in case you don’t have access to water. Personal protective measures for dental professionals Airborne droplet transmission of infection is the main route of spread, particularly in dental clinics and hospitals. Barrier-protection equipment is strongly recommended for all healthcare givers in the clinic/hospital settings during the epidemic period of 2019-nCoV. Like including protective eyewear, masks, gloves, caps, face shields, and protective outwear. Rubber dam isolation The use of rubber dams can significantly minimize the production of saliva- and blood-contaminated aerosol or spatter, particularly in cases when high-speed handpieces and dental ultrasonic devices are used. Mouthrinse before dental procedures Since 2019-nCoV is vulnerable to oxidation, preprocedural mouthrinse containing oxidative agents such as 1% hydrogen peroxide or 0.2% povidone is recommended, for the purpose of reducing the salivary load of oral microbes, including potential 2019-nCoV carriage. A regular mouthrinse is also recommended. Even after all these measures, make sure that you don’t interact unnecessarily. Even now, we know very little about it. So, keep your surroundings clean.
Mr. Bilal Amjad Founder & CEO InstaCare along his team met Mr. Zafar Iqbal Federal Minister of National Health Services Regulation and Coordination Government of Pakistan. Dr. Zafar Mirza served WHO as the Director of Health System Development at the Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean. He is a medical doctor with post-graduation in Public Health in Developing Countries from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine and a clinical stint in mental health. Both, Bilal and Dr. Zafar talked on a common vision of Accessible, Efficient and Affordable Healthcare Services in Pakistan to facilitate its people.
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