Not to mention possible *ahem* side effects of the vaccine.
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Here is the usual time it takes to get a vaccine approved...
The Modi govt has asked ICMR to fast-track the trial for Covaxin, a Covid vaccine, and hopes to roll it out in six weeks, in time for Independence Day.
theprint.in
Stages of vaccine development
Vaccines and drugs go through multiple stages of development, and with each stage, multiple vaccine candidates get filtered out.
An exploratory stage of two to four years is when the process typically begins, where antigens are identified and a potential roadmap for the vaccine is drawn out. They then enter a pre-clinical stage or Phase 0 where microbial material is tested in vitro (in cell and tissue cultures) as well as on animals to understand results that could be expected in humans. This stage typically lasts one to two years.
In the face of a pandemic like Covid, researchers are ethically in the clear to skip these phases and directly launch into Phase I. This is when the vaccine is introduced to humans first. The objective is to establish the safety of the vaccine and understand the extent of immune response. It typically involves less than 100 people, and could last between several months to a year or two.
If safety is established, Phase II commences where 100 to 300 people are enrolled to test efficacy and understand side effects. This lasts for about two to three years.
Often, to expedite testing, Phases I and II are combined.
Phase III trials are the most crucial. They last for about five to 10 years, and enrol around 3,000 participants for one vaccine. The successful conclusion of Phase III is when actual efficacy can be established.
Once statistically-significant efficacy is proven, a vaccine undergoes an approval process (typically two years), which also involves manufacturing, scaling up, and drawing a vaccination drive plan, after which it is rolled out or distributed. Once vaccination drives are underway, Phase IV commences, where long-term safety and efficacy is studied.
The average time of vaccine development is anywhere from 10 to 15 years in non-emergency situations.
So basically, by rushing to get the vaccine into widespread use, the government and manufacturers are planning to use millions of Americans as "lab rats", and then see if the vaccine is effective, or even safe.....