As the coronavirus crisis continues to have a devasting impact on people’s lives and livelihoods, all eyes are on scientists to deliver on a COVID-19 vaccine.
It is widely accepted that a safe and effective vaccine represents our best chance of a permanent escape from this pandemic.
But these vaccines are being developed at an unprecedented pace in even more unprecedented circumstances.
To navigate these unchartered territories while providing a safe vaccine at breakneck speed, regulators and industry are having to innovate to rise to the challenge this presents.
The development of a vaccine under such circumstances has raised a number of concerns, notably over transparency and accountability.
In this Event Report, EURACTIV takes a look at some of the key issues this has thrown up, and how key stakeholders, including the scientific community, regulators, and citizens, can best work together to ensure transparency and safety in this race for a vaccine.
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MEPs call for transparency in race for COVID vaccine amid rising vaccine hesitancy
EU lawmakers from across the political spectrum stressed the need for transparency in the COVID-19 vaccine process in a hearing with pharmaceutical industry representatives, emphasising that this is necessary to combat a growing vaccine hesitancy in the EU.
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Health expert: Routine immunisation should not be put on back-burner due to COVID
A real commitment from all stakeholders and policymakers is needed to support a catch-up immunisation campaign and overcome the difficulties routine vaccination programmes have experienced during the pandemic, according to a key vaccine stakeholder.
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Progress but the fight against COVID-19 is just beginning
Over the last few weeks, the European Medicines Agency (EMA) announced they have begun a “rolling review” process on COVID-19 vaccines from AstraZeneca in collaboration with Oxford University, Moderna and from Pfizer in partnership with BioNTech. The announcements are indicative …