Local Doctor Explains Covid Vaccine Progress

THE University of Queensland have announced human trials for their COVID-19 vaccine, but a local doctor cautions while it is positive news, it is still early days.

The vaccine, made using the University’s new molecular clamping technology has allowed them to generate a vaccine in a matter of months, instead of years.

It will be trialed on 120 volunteers, who will receive the vaccine twice every four weeks for 12 months to test the safety and effectiveness of the vaccine.

Dr Richard Abbott, from Scone Medical Practice said a vaccine was critical in the fight against the pandemic, but said it was too early to tell how effective the vaccine may be.

“It will be a game changer to have an effective vaccine, because it will allow people to immunise against this virus and might allow us to return to what we know as normal,” Dr Abbott said.

“The accepted science is overwhelming in favour of vaccines, they’ve made massive difference to health outcomes and we would be strongly recommending that people consider it,” he said.

Dr Abbott said any vaccines may have side effects, but at this stage “we have to wait for the trials and hope for the best outcome.”

“Vaccines are generally made from some sort of protein from the virus itself so there are varying responses and as we know, some viruses we never get a vaccine to,” Dr Abbott said.

“Some are only used in very specific circumstances or some are like the flu vaccine and are widely used and have minimal side effects,” he said.

“With the previous SARS type one vaccine, there were some issues with the response that it engendered, so we basically have to wait for the trials and hope for the best outcome,” he said.

“At this stage the news is certainly very welcome and positive, but its still early days so people need to maintain the social distancing and hand washing practices,” he said.

“Were quietly positive, but there is no guarantee,” said Dr Abbott.

The Queensland Government has invested $10 million to fast track the study and preliminary results are expected in September.