RECENT broadcast news items have featured Joe Public repeating views on the Covid vaccines which are just plain wrong. Statements that the vaccine development was too fast gives the implication that it was developed on the back of the proverbial fag packet, concocted in a backstreet drug lab and just “thrown out there”.
Some commentators and writers imply that anti-vaxxers’ views should be accepted.
The mRNA vaccine developed by BioNTech/Pizer and Moderna has been in development for decades.
Statements that it was developed too fast just create unnecessary anxiety and unfortunately feed the fears of anti-vaxxers. There are more than enough conspiracy theories swirling around Covid and its origins, without extending this to vaccine development and production.
I recommend an article published in the New Scientist on October 13 which explains the history of the development and testing of this vaccine.
Development of this mRNA technology started in 1990, where mice were used to produce the proteins for our bodies to detect and manufacture anti-bodies. Breakthrough occurred in 2005 when another technology development improved mRNA to increase protein production by 1000 times.
In 2010 human trials took place for a drug called patisiran. In 2013 100 people were infected by H7R9 bird flu and a vaccine was produced within eight days, showing its development speed.
Big Pharma did not see this mRNA vaccine development technology as being a project to invest in. This was a Big Pharma...
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