A reader from USA sent me the following mail this morning, arising out of my mistaken assumption that a vaccine for COVID-19 could become available in 3-4 months time:
I like your post very much. But you got one important fact wrong: A vaccine will definitely not be available in 3-4 months. It’s possible that several new vaccine candidates could go into clinical trials within that time, but a proven and safe vaccine will not be available to the public for another 12-18 months. It takes a long time to establish both efficacy and safety. This is the word from the top infectious disease expert in the US, and from countless other scientists here.
In 1976, after a vaccine was rushed into production when a human version of the swine flu swept around the world, many people who were vaccinated developed a rare neuromuscular disease called Guillain-Barre syndrome, and some died. This has been a warning for emergency vaccine development ever since.
I would humbly suggest that you post a correction for your devoted readers on the anticipated vaccine schedule. People need to know that, in the short term, a vaccine will not protect them. Only commonsensical public health measures — like social distancing and hand hygiene — will do that.
But your point about protecting health workers is excellent. I hope that Bhutan can keep this pandemic at bay. You are lucky to have a smart and compassionate physician leading the government.
I stand corrected 🙏
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