The whole world is now well acquainted with COVID 19, a virus which is responsible for the current global pandemic. The virus outbreak, which initially rooted in China, has now spread across the globe.

Since its unwelcomed arrival earlier this year in the UK, scientists everywhere have been working tirelessly to find a cure, a treatment, or a vaccine. Now, those hopes have become a reality with the successful trials of many vaccines which claim to protect against COVID-19 safely and effectively. Once the officials announce the rollout plan for the vaccine of choice-we will be ready to stand shoulder to shoulder with the NHS and deliver life-saving vaccines to the UK population both at scale and at speed. This long awaited news is a positive step towards ending the pandemic that began many months ago. 

In the beginning – the science bit!

The COVID19 virus has a unique RNA strand that is specific to the virus, and several studies have been so far conducted to rule out the genetic sequencing of the virus. The virus is well structured with protein spikes on the surfaces, forming a crown shape. These protein spikes allow the virus to stick on to the hosts’ cells surface and sequestrate inside the cells especially cells lining the respiratory tract and lungs, manipulate the cell machinery and makes thousands of its copies cause infection. A deadly devastating virus that shook the world could now be eradicated with a vaccine. 

How is COVID-19 transmitted?

It is transmitted from an infected person to a healthy individual when he/she comes in close contact when they cough, sneeze or through stool aerosols. It takes an average of about 14 days for the symptoms to become visible on the body, but it could also take longer time depending on the body’s capacity to endure the virus.

What are the symptoms of COVID-19?

The symptoms which start as a common cold or fever in most people can become a potentially life-threatening illness to some of the population.

     Common symptoms include:

• Cough
• Fever
• Tiredness/fatigue

  Less common symptoms:

• Aches and pains
• Sore throat
• Diarrhoea
• Conjunctivitis
• Headache
• Loss of taste or smell
• A rash on the skin, or discolouration of fingers or toes

  Serious symptoms:

• Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
• Chest pain or pressure
• Loss of speech or movement

So, to resolve the everyday living and economy of this world, the global scientific community have been investing their utmost effort in developing a cure since the outbreak has rooted.

The COVID Vaccine

The world waited for the release of COVID vaccine. Now, with vaccine breakthroughs comes hope against the virus. The two primary goals of the vaccine development include:

1. the vaccine must be safe to administer the general population.
2. the vaccine must be efficacious in defending against the COVID19 virus.

The efficacy of the vaccine can be identified by conducting studies to verify its effectiveness against the virus during its trials on how it elicits a significant immune response against the virus and by seeing if it reduces the chance of getting the disease itself. Trials involving several thousand populations are being conducted to rule out the efficacy of the vaccine.

Who’s who in the vaccine race?

The topmost promising vaccines, according to recent studies, include mRNA vaccines like Pfizer and BioNTech and Moderna, which uses a sequence of protein codes for a spike protein similar to that of the virus. They are hoping to distribute million or more doses during the first half of next year. The cost of the vaccine is also considered to be affordable.

UK based vaccine AstraZeneca from the University of Oxford has developed a vaccine from Chimpanzee adenovirus which has shown efficient against the COVID19 virus. They are planning to charge as little as 3 dollars per dose to make it more affordable for ordinary people. The latest study on this vaccine is expected this month.

Other Covid19 vaccines like Johnson and Johnson, Sputnik 5, Sinovac has also shown promising results against the virus. These vaccines are expected to be rolled out during the first half of next year.

How will the COVID-19 vaccine be distributed?

The World Health Organisation (WHO) is drafting guidelines for the distribution of COVID19 vaccines. At least 94 nations have so far signed up to the global vaccine plan known as COVAX.  How vaccines are distributed within a country may vary according to the system criteria. The UK is ready to release millions of COVID19 vaccines to the public with medical professionals and the elderly to receive their jabs first. Britain has ordered 350 million doses of vaccines in development including Pfizer, Moderna and AstraZeneca. The scientists have also claimed that the vaccines must be transported and stored in cold chain facilities like cooler trucks and ultra-cold freezers for it to last long. This leaves the countries to equip special storage facilities to preserve the vaccine.

Who will administer the vaccine?

At the authorized hospitals, the registered nurses, pharmacists, or health care personnel can give vaccinations under the direction and guidance of a senior medical officer. Also using proper administration technique is critical to ensure the vaccination is safe and secure. The health care professionals are advised to receive comprehensive, competency-based training on vaccine administration procedures and practices before administration. Each vaccine has a recommended administration route and site (local or systemic). The patient must be given complete information about the vaccination procedure. The Jabs should be only given after performing hand hygiene. The vaccine must be administrated according to the information included in the manufacture package at the appropriate site. Any deviation from the original site would reduce the efficacy or cause adverse reactions.

Conclusion

As we enter the last round of the Covid-19 battle, we urge you-the brave healthcare heroes of 2020 to step up and stand with ProMedical as we support the NHS to vaccinate the UK against the single most devastating health crisis of our time.

Contact us here to speak to one of our dedicated recruitment consultants who will guide you through the process with ease.