COVID-19 (Coronavirus) Update - Are The Vaccines Safe?

​    In early November 2020, two pharmaceutical companies in the west announced that they had successfully produced several candidates for the COVID 19 vaccine. The pharmaceutical companies from Massachusetts and New York also asserted that it was the first  vaccine candidate to ever reach an effectiveness rate up to 95%. Not to fall short, a company from China and a Russian based research institute also declared their latest updates in developing the world's first coronavirus vaccine. This is indeed very good news for all of us! 

    Given that the COVID 19 cases have reached 60 million globally. Whilst according to the Ministry of Health Malaysia the number of local positives cases has sprung up to 75,306 in total as of 08 December 2020. The global and local Malaysian coronavirus cases have not only triggered communal distress due to the societal health, livelihood and safety, but also the economic repercussions in the long term.

    Thus, if covid vaccine is found, it can not only break the chain of coronavirus infection, but simultaneously, prevent the risk of death & disability from its complications. Furthermore, it can also reduce the (long-term) financial burden of treating the infected. In addition, from a social point of view it can hopefully restore our pre-pandemic ways of life. Likewise, vaccines can also potentially revitalize the local and global economy.

Is The New Coronavirus Vaccine Safe?

    Recently, skeptics would ask “Is the latest covid vaccine safe to use?” In answering this question, the public should be made aware of two substantials. Namely vaccine developmental methodology and types of vaccines.

    Firstly, the World Health Organization (WHO) has stipulated that every pharmaceutical company must adhere to universal vaccine developmental methodology that consist of pre-clinical and clinical stages. The preclinical stage includes the duration of laboratory studies conducted by scientists, to find out the correct formula and suitable types of vaccines. While the clinical stage, encompases three clinical phase trials to determine the level of safety, effectiveness rate and side effects of the vaccine. The whole process also needs to be monitored by a qualified research & medical institution.

    Secondly, it should be understood that each company has its own vaccine innovative formula. In addition, they are also able to develop different types of vaccines. The types of vaccines includes:

• life attenuated vaccine (BCG, MMR, etc.), 

• inactivated vaccine (DTap, IPV, etc.) 

• subunit vaccine (Hepatitis B, Hib, etc.)

• other types                                                                         

    However with the help of the latest technology, some leading companies such as Moderna and Pfizer / BioNTech, have successfully developed a next-generation vaccine, namely the DNA & RNA vaccine. This type of vaccine is not only expected to be more effective, but it is much safer! What’s even more amazing, this vaccine candidate is already  undergoing the third phase clinical trial! If they’re successful and manage to get approvals from global institutions - such as WHO, Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) and Global Alliance for Vaccine & Immunization (GAVI) - by 2021 the world will soon be welcoming the first ever coronavirus vaccine! 

Humans as lab rats?

    Don’t be surprised, the clinical stages of vaccine development will indeed use animals  and human volunteers as test subjects. It is universally required that all medical innovations have to go through that process. This is to ensure the vaccine product is safe and effective before it is approved and distributed to the general public. Hence, this reason alone would justify-against skeptics' allegation that accused Malaysian general population of being used as lab rats for the Chinese vaccines soon to be procured by our government 

    As informed, the individuals that were clinically tested were volunteers. This by right, makes them a hero! As it not only helps in improving the effectiveness of the vaccine, but also guarantees the vaccine’s safety for the general population. In addition, with careful and comprehensive research, it can also reduce the risk of vaccine side effects or Adverse Event Following Immunization (AEFI) as much as possible.

    Although anti-vaccine groups will potentially exploit the risk of AEFI - and other baseless accusations - as an excuse to reject vaccination. Especially when they successfully abused the principles of freedom-of-speech and the right to self-determination. We however, as the general public need to realize that the risks of potential AEFI are far minute in comparison to the vast benefits of vaccination. In addition, the public should continue to believe and remain confident that vaccination & herd immunity is the best way to ensure protection from the COVID-19 pandemic. Find out how well you know about vaccines!

    Healthcare institutions around the world have also - and always will - do their very best to ensure the safety and prioritize the health of the general public. Particularly with regards to the vaccine dilemma, these institutions has made it clearly evident by having: 

I. A very systematic method of vaccine development

II. Vaccine developments undergone strict, rigorous and gradual authentic approval

III. Process of vaccine production are continuously observed by certified institution

Is everyone capable of owning or buying it?

    It is clear that the high demand for a coronavirus vaccine has sparked fierce competition between pharmaceutical companies & research institutions. This competition takes place locally and globally, especially between giant nations such as the United States, Europe, China and Russia. They are not only racing for the sake of the global community, but also for the interests of the local geopolitics and economy.

    Generally the whole process to develop a new vaccine, requires a very large amount of funds and manpower. Additionally the pandemic caused by a novel virus has also made its vaccine  developmental process more complicated, expensive and time consuming. Nonetheless, the capability of companies and institutions abroad to produce vaccine candidates in less than a year, has proven their commitment and competence to provide the world a better future - via its first coronavirus vaccine. 

    In line with these efforts, the Malaysian government is collaborating  with various countries and global alliances to obtain the COVID 19 Malaysia vaccine by early 2021. Last November, the Ministry of Science, Technology & Innovation (MOSTI) in coordination with the Ministry of Health (MOH) signed a COVAX agreement worth RM94 million (COVAX downpayment) as the first step in pursuing the effort.

    COVAX is an international initiative - led by WHO, CEPI and GAVI - to ensure the initial procurement of vaccine supply. In addition, the Malaysian government is also coordinating with other countries directly (such as China) so that our country has a sufficient number of vaccines at its disposal - a prerequisite to achieve the national immunization target. 

    The question of vaccine prices and access in pharmacies, private clinics and public facilities for the general public however, has not yet been clarified by the ministry. According to some sources, the market price for this coronavirus vaccine can reach around RM80 to RM200 for each dose. However, the procurement of vaccines pursued by the current government, will be distributed according to the national priorities and interests. 

Who will be given priority?

    According to Malaysian COVID-19 updates, the Malaysian corona vaccine will be distributed to the frontliners first and foremost. These means vaccination will be prioritized towards the health & uniformed sectors’ workforce - consisting of doctors, nurses, military, police, immigration and prison personnel. 

    In addition, because vaccine research has mostly been conducted via adult human trials, consequently data on the safety and effectiveness of current vaccine candidates in children is still unclear. Therefore, those aged 12 and under will not participate in the first phase of the national immunization strategy. 

Meanwhile, from a global point of view, countries such as China and organization usch as the WHO have pledged to ensure that:

I. The distribution of vaccine supplies are fair and transparent

II. COVID-19 Immunization is categorized as a global human rights and fundamental needs

III. Third world countries that do not have sufficient sources of funding are not excluded in vaccine procurement process 

    However, initial vaccine procurement would still be prioritized towards countries that have shown commitments via advance payments and risk sharing guarantees on initiatives such as COVAX. Apart from that, world leaders also hope more affluent countries will also participate and support the initiative.

How will the world adapt if vaccines fail?

    The public should be aware that, although the clinical stages have yielded very positive results, a coronavirus immunization failure can still occur. This is because there are various factors that play a role in its success. Among them are:

• Vaccine compatibility to the human body, physiology and genetics  

• Society’s compliance in cooperating with the national vaccination strategy

• Vaccine ability in providing long-term immunization

• The effectiveness of the vaccine on a large scale population

    On the contrary, the continuous increase of the daily cases in Indonesia and other neighboring countries, have had a very significant impact on the regional economy and well-being. On top of that, the re-emergence of new daily cases in China - that has risen sharply - has left many wondering, will this pandemic ever end? Such situations indirectly urges the community to begin adapting upon the new social norms by hook or by crook. 

    If the first coronavirus vaccine fails, the society should still continue curbing the virus using conventional measures such as frequent hand washing, physical/social distancing, postponing mass-gathering activities, and empower self-discipline to stay-at-home unless an important matter arises. In addition, the local authorities would need to play a role by increasing the COVID-19 screening rate and contact tracing. Local authorities also need to ensure that virus prevention and control campaigns continue. 

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Conclusion

    In conclusion the coronavirus vaccine is a safe and important innovation upon managing the COVID-19 crisis. As the saying goes, prevention is better than cure - vaccines can not only break the chain-of-infection, but they can also reduce the risk of disability and death due to its complications. In addition, the coronavirus vaccine was bound to play a significant role in the economic & social well-being of our local and global communities. However, no matter what happens, we must still adhere to the precautionary measures and support the government's noble efforts for the common good. Talk to a doctor to know more about this vaccine!