Because a vaccine can prevent people from getting sick, all eyes are turned to the prospect of a vaccine for the coronavirus. Scientists, companies and academic institutions around the world are racing to create such a vaccine. The World Health Organisation says three vaccine candidates are in clinical testing phase, while 67 potentials are in preclinical phase.
Three phases of clinical trials
Clinical trials, an essential precursor to regulatory approval, usually take place in three phases. The first, involving a few dozen healthy volunteers, tests the vaccine for safety, monitoring for adverse effects. The second, involving several hundred people, usually in a part of the world affected by the disease, looks at how effective the vaccine is, and the third does the same in several thousand people. Clinical trials can’t be skipped or hurried.
‘… trials can’t be hurried…’
In some of the worst affected countries such as China and Italy, the infections and deaths have levelled off in recent days, but experts warn the risk of a new wave of outbreaks is imminent without a vaccine, but the expedited development of a vaccine remains a lengthy process.
Human trials set to begin in the UK
Sarah Gilbert, a professor of vaccinology at Oxford University who is heading a UK team developing a vaccine, told the Times on Saturday that she was ‘80 percent confident’ their vaccine could be effective and ready by September; cutting the estimated time down to six months. Gilbert told the newspaper that human trials for her team’s vaccine were set to begin in about two weeks. She added she was working with the UK government to create a possible plan to start production before the vaccine is finalised, which could allow the public to access the vaccine as soon as it is proven effective.
‘… 80% confident …’
Once a coronavirus vaccine has been approved and becomes available we can look forwards to lockdowns being lifted!
Looking forward to lockdowns being lifted
When lockdowns are lifted we can visit our families again; imagine the joy of seeing your loved ones again. Family togetherness means time to talk, share love and affection and remember happy times. Visiting family restores inspiration and hope. The amazing cooking that families do together is best but you could all meet at your favourite restaurant. Ask the mothers in your family to share their favourite recipes, after all mothers’ cooking is truly the best food in the world. Go on a family adventure, it’s a lot of gratifying fun that you will remember and talk about for years to come.
‘… visiting family restores inspiration and hope …’
The benefits of nature
When lockdowns are lifted we can be outdoors again; from hiking and biking to fishing and sightseeing, the benefits of getting outside and enjoying nature are endless. Being in the outdoors makes people happy. We all love breathing clean, fresh air, hearing the serene sounds of nature, and walking on pine needles. The outdoors make you healthy, you get natural light, which means increasing your natural Vitamin D intake. You also get a break from technology; the opportunity to stand, walk, run, and exercise, which translates into healthier, more fulfilling lives.
‘… breathing fresh air and hearing the serene sounds of nature …’
And, eventually we will be able to travel again!
Travel is the one thing we invest in that can’t be taken from us. Once you’ve taken a vacation it’s yours forever; the memories and experiences can’t be taken from you. Think about sitting on a golden sand beach sipping your favourite beverage from a fresh pineapple with an umbrella on top. Think about a horseback ride in the mountains; there truly is joy in travelling. The thought of travel brings images of an aeroplane, a cruise ship, a helicopter or a train ride; the choices are endless. There is no substitute for travel, you must see, smell or taste in person; hearing the history of a place from the local people is mesmerizing and life altering. To travel is an amazing privilege and pleasure; we encourage you to invest in it, it is money well spent!
‘… no substitute for travel …’
Tell us!
To be able to travel, means it’s that happy time to think about your next family holiday. Where do you want to go? What do you want to see? We can take you and your family there. Tell us your dreams, let us shape them into true stories.
As soon as lockdown is lifted, please contact us to book your well-deserved holiday. – CLICK HERE FOR HOLIDAY BOOKINGS –
Developing a vaccine or a treatment for a newly discovered virus is a slow and detailed endeavour. The coronavirus has changed that. From Asia to Europe, North America, and Africa, infectious disease experts are trialling vaccines, developing new tests for the virus or devising innovative public health strategies to control the outbreak. A global race to search for a coronavirus vaccine is underway. We take a look at a few countries working flat-out to save us from the pandemic.