FT News Briefing The search for a Covid supershot
Jul 19, 2021
OPEC and its allies have agreed to boost oil production to tackle rising prices. Meanwhile, China has launched the world’s largest carbon trading market, prompting discussions on its implications for the energy sector. In an exciting twist, scientists are on the hunt for a groundbreaking 'supershot' vaccine that could protect against all coronaviruses. The podcast delves into advancements in multivalent vaccines and how AI is revolutionizing vaccine development and cancer research, shaping the future of global health.
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Super Shot Development
- Scientists pursue a "super shot" vaccine to protect against all COVID-19 variants.
- This shot targets non-mutating parts of the virus, unlike current vaccines.
Multivalent Vaccine Precedent
- The Prevnar vaccine protects against 13 pneumonia strains, demonstrating multivalent vaccine feasibility.
- While novel for coronaviruses, multivalent vaccines aren't new.
Super Shot Timeline
- Some scientists are optimistic about having a super shot ready for regulatory approval by the end of 2022.
- England's chief medical officer, Chris Whitty, suggests a more conservative 5-year timeframe.