The Covid-19 pandemic has made a lot of people reflect on their lives.
I should’ve taken my family to South Korea last year instead of pushing it to 2020.
Damn, if I knew, I’d have accompanied my mom to JB for the last time before the borders slammed shut.
2024?! By then, I’ll be like…old and crusty.
Yes, in case you don’t know what I’m talking about, it’s being unable to travel that is getting to people now.
Singapore Tourism Board (STB) chief Mr Tan previously said that a vaccine or an effective treatment must exist before people dare to freely travel again.
But what if I tell you that there’s been an update on the progress of a “viable vaccine”.
Previously, it was reported that Singapore has choped one of the seven “finalist” vaccines, the Lunar-Cov19, in the world right now.
If that’s not enough good news, the early-stage clinical trial for the vaccine is well-underway.
And on 8 Aug, it’s reported that the SingHealth Investigational Medicine Unit will be giving the first vaccinations to volunteers next week.
More than 250 volunteers had stepped forward for the trials, Associate Professor Jenny Low said, and around 100 people will be taking part in the trial.
The volunteers range between their 20s and 50s.
The unit is on the lookout for more volunteers to participate in the trial, she said, especially for those in the older age group as the trial is open to people between 21 and 80 years old.
Professor Low said that the pre-clinical results are “promising”.
Now, they have to ensure that it’s safe so that the vaccine can move into the clinical trial stage.
Currently, the trial’s objectives are:
- The safety of the vaccine
- The correct dosage
- Check if the immune system, after taking the vaccine, will generate antibodies and T-cells against Covid-19
