Coronavirus: when will there be a vaccine?

When can we expect a vaccine against the coronavirus?

In order to curb the spread of the viral disease and to find a cure, researchers are working flat out to develop a vaccine against the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus.  

• According to the Association of Research-Based Drug Manufacturers (vfa) , there are currently 48 projects worldwide working on vaccines.
• In Germany, for example, the German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), the company CureVac from Tübingen or BioNTech in Mainz are among the research partners in the fight against viral infections.
• Research into a vaccination against COVID-19 is also in full swing in the USA, China, Australia, Israel, Sweden, Switzerland and England.
• While a vaccine used to take 15 to 20 years to be ready for use, the process is much faster today. Nevertheless, the development takes place in predetermined stages: from the analysis of the virus to the design of the vaccine, testing on animals and volunteers to approval and mass production.
• The most advanced research projects are currently, or about to be, tested in human volunteers.
• The rapid development of the protective agent is possible, among other things, because experiences from other corona viruses such as SARS from 2002/2003 can be consulted.
• However, it is not yet possible to estimate exactly when the finished vaccine will be available on the market and when Corona will be curable. CureVac is planning a larger study starting in the fall, in which tens of thousands could get the vaccine. 
• Depending on the course of the study and approval, the vaccine against COVID-19 could be available to large crowds in late 2020 or as late as mid-2021.

What does the pneumococcal vaccination against corona bring?

Pneumococcal vaccinations can prevent pneumonia. These are also triggered by corona viruses. So can the pneumococcal vaccine also protect against COVID-19?

• No, in principle there is no protection against corona viruses with a pneumococcal vaccination.
• Since the hospitals are currently very busy, it still makes sense, especially for older, chronically ill people as well as infants and small children up to the age of 2 years, to protect themselves against an infection with pneumococci . In this way, further complications can be prevented in the event of illness from COVID-19.