Abstract

DRUGS AND POTENTIAL VACCINE FOR COVID-19; STATUS SO FAR

Dr. Sargun Singh, Dr. Angad Singh and Dr. Kawaljit Kaur*

Abstract

Coronavirus is spreading around the world, but there are still no vaccines to protect the body against the disease it causes, COVID-19. The coronavirus is mainly transmitted through droplets generated when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or exhales. As per WHO, as of 10.33.am CEST, July 11, 2020, India had 8,20,916 confirmed cases whereas globally there have been 12,286,264 confirmed cases of COVID-19, including 555,642 deaths. Majority of the world's population is still vulnerable to it. As far as total number of cases are concerned, India comes at number three after USA and Brazil. There are many ongoing clinical trials evaluating its potential treatments. Several pharma companies are working on antiviral drugs, some of which are already in use against other illnesses, to treat people who already have COVID-19. Drugs, including hydroxychloroquine, azithromycin and the nucleotide analogue remdesivir, are being actively tested, but none has been specifically approved for the disease. A vaccine would provide some protection by training people's immune systems to fight the virus so they should not become sick. The making of a vaccine takes many years and it passes through several clinical trials before coming in the market for human use. As COVID-19 has become pandemic, the researchers and scientist at the world level are working on potential treatments and vaccines. Some countries have announced their human trials also. In a recent news, Sinovac Biotech, a Beijing based company which is in the process of vaccine making, has claimed the success of their human trials. Similarly, Covaxine, the Indian vaccine candidate is also in the process of trials but it is too early to predict about the efficacy of the vaccine.

Keywords: Covid-19, Vaccine, Corona Viruses, pandemic, hydroxychloroquine, chloroquine, azithromycin, remdesivir, SARS-CoV-2, nCoV, Sinovac, Covaxine