• Genuine and probably stupid question, if we have sequenced the virus and have many dead and recovered cases, why does it take so long to produce a vaccine? Is it just the making sure it doesn't kill people part?

  • Yes. And some things could be worse like horrible lifelong pain side effects

  • Method 1:
    Step 1: Identify a target in the genetic code
    Step 2: Generate multiple targets
    Step 3: Test if this produces a response.
    Step 4: see if that confers immunity.

    Method 2:
    Step 1: Find a method of inactivation
    Step 2: Inactivate and test
    Step 3: see if that confers immunity

    Method 3:
    Step 1: Find a unique part of virus.
    Step 2: Create large amounts of unique part
    Step 3: Check for immune response
    Step 4: See if that confers immunity.

    That is a very, very, very, very basic version of events, if everything works and then you have step 5: Is this thing safe?
    It is not easy, simple or straightforward. Each step will need repeat revisitation, and any STOP points mean start again at step 1 or 2.

  • Also making sure it works. You need a protein chain that will trigger an antibody reaction, and one which will be effective at killing off the viruses. If it was easy we'd have a vaccine for HIV by now.

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