COVID-19 Vaccine Nearing its Debut!

 Most of us recognize that vaccines save countless lives every year. It operates by preparing and training the body's natural defense and the immune system to fight viruses and germs. Currently, scientists and physicians all around the world are functioning double-time to accelerate the pandemic vaccine reaction.

On Friday, to combat COVID-19, China said aid four vaccines are now in phase-III clinical trials, officials said.

"So far, we have 11 vaccines that have entered clinical trials, among which four have entered phase three clinical trials," state-affiliated China Global Television Network (CGTN) quoted Wang Zhigang, Chinese Minister for Science and Technology, as speaking at the Global Science and Life Health Forum in Beijing.

"China boosted the development of five technical routes in parallel for COVID-19 vaccines," he added.

Among the four candidate vaccines in China, the one developed by Chinese biopharmaceutical company CanSino Biologics and a team led by infectious disease expert Chen Wei is an adenoviral vector-based vaccine. At the same time, the other three are based on the inactivated virus, according to CGTN.

The Chinese authorities said local residents could start receiving the vaccine by November or December 2020.

"Common Chinese residents could start acquiring COVID-19 vaccines as early as November or December, as the current Phase III clinical trials have been going smoothly," the state-run media quoted Wu Guizhen, chief biosecurity specialist China's Center for Disease Control and Prevention, as saying.

"In April, I was vaccinated as an experimental population. I am feeling good in these months without any abnormal condition," said Wu. "I didn't feel local pain when vaccinating," he added.

Since first appearing in Wuhan, China, last December, the novel coronavirus has spread to at least 188 countries and regions.

According to figures compiled by US-based Johns Hopkins University, more than 30 million people have been infected globally, with 946,158 deaths and 20.53 million recoveries. The US, India, and Brazil are currently the worst-hit countries.

High hopes and large sums are invested in vaccines being approved and proving a success. And while we await the most anticipated vaccine, below are a few strategies to safeguard ourselves and dearest in the fatal virus.
- Stay in your home just as much as possible. The lesser you head out, the lower is the chance for us to get the virus.
- Maintain a secure 6 ft space from others. When it's a requirement to head outside, keep your distance from other people.
- Cover your nose and mouth using a face mask when around others.
- Keep your place clean and sanitize at all times to free it from bacteria and germs. Use products like disinfectant solutions and household wet wipes on frequently touched surfaces daily.
- Use alcohol base quality disinfectant wipes which is made of spunlace nonwoven fabric before touching surfaces commonly used by the public.
- Cover your mouth and nose with your bent knee or even a tissue when you cough or sneeze.  Wipe your face with facial wet wipes after sneezing.
- Monitor your everyday health and well-being. Watch for fever, cough, shortness of breath, or other symptoms. Contact your healthcare specialist when possible, to seek out help.

lifekeepup.com