Thread by @carlzimmer, Today was a day that vaccine researchers had been hoping for and [...]

Today was a day that vaccine researchers had been hoping for and dreading all year, ever since—back on January 10—scientists started designing coronavirus vaccines. Why? A thread! https://www.nytimes.com/2020/07/17/health/coronavirus-vaccine-johnson-janssen.html 1/
13

Inside Johnson & Johnson’s Nonstop Hunt for a Coronavirus Vaccine

In Boston and in the Netherlands, scientists are racing to build a vaccine against the virus strangling the world.

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/07/17/health/coronavirus-vaccine-johnson-janssen.html

They were hoping that it would be possible to create and test a vaccine in record time. The previous record for vaccine development was four years, for mumps. Typically vaccines take a decade or more. Not good in a pandemic! https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/02/us/politics/vaccines-coronavirus-research.html 2/13

Profits and Pride at Stake, the Race for a Vaccine Intensifies

Governments, companies and academic labs are accelerating their efforts amid geopolitical crosscurrents, questions about safety and the challenges of producing enough doses for billions of people.

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/02/us/politics/vaccines-coronavirus-research.html

By the summer, late-stage clinical trials were underway, which was astonishing. Right now there are 11 Phase 3 trials going on worldwide, and 52 clinical trials in total. That’s bonkers. https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2020/science/coronavirus-vaccine-tracker.html 3/13

Coronavirus Vaccine Tracker

A look at all the vaccines that have reached trials in humans.

https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2020/science/coronavirus-vaccine-tracker.html

But here’s the catch: no one has ever made an approved vaccine for a coronavirus before. Lots of reasons why--see my 2015 piece on the “valley of death.” https://www.nytimes.com/2015/08/11/science/for-vaccines-needed-in-an-epidemic-timing-is-everything.html 4/13

For Vaccines Needed in an Epidemic, Timing Is Everything (Published 2015)

Waiting to develop a vaccine until an epidemic is raging means waiting too long for it to be proved safe and effective, say scientists who are proposing a global vaccine fund.

https://www.nytimes.com/2015/08/11/science/for-vaccines-needed-in-an-epidemic-timing-is-everything.html

Adding to the uncertainty, a lot of this year's coronavirus vaccines were designed using technologies that have remained experimental till recently—such as the RNA-based platform that BioNTech and Pfizer chose. https://www.nytimes.com/2020/07/27/health/moderna-vaccine-covid.html?searchResultPosition=3 5/13

Some glimmers of hope came from studies on mice and monkeys, showing that vaccines could protect them. But we aren’t animals, so it was hard to know how the vaccines would work on us. https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/20/health/coronavirus-vaccine-harvard.html 6/13

Prototype Vaccine Protects Monkeys From Coronavirus

A series of animal experiments may point the way to an effective human vaccine, scientists said.

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/20/health/coronavirus-vaccine-harvard.html

Early clinical trials showed that the vaccines could make some antibodies and T cells that could recognize the coronavirus. Encouraging—but not evidence that the vaccines could protect people. https://www.nytimes.com/2020/08/04/health/covid-19-vaccine-novavax.html 7/13

Scientists Are Optimistic About New Vaccine Studies From Novavax

The company has received a $1.6 billion grant from the government’s Operation Warp Speed to have 100 million doses ready by early 2021.

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/08/04/health/covid-19-vaccine-novavax.html

Now we have evidence—preliminary!—that the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine provides protection. And not just a little protection. They estimate over 90% efficacy. https://www.nytimes.com/2020/11/09/health/covid-vaccine-pfizer.html 8/13

Pfizer’s Early Data Shows Vaccine Is More Than 90% Effective

Pfizer announced positive early results from its coronavirus vaccine trial, cementing the lead in a frenzied global race that has unfolded at record-breaking speed.

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/11/09/health/covid-vaccine-pfizer.html

That should encourage other RNA vaccine makers. And it should *also* encourage other teams whose vaccines hit the same target (the spike protein) and have produced comparable or better levels of antibodies. 9/13

We may expect other vaccines to reach this moment in the months to come. Some may fail. But if today is any guide, others may succeed. 10/13

And any additional successes could open the way to better vaccines, cheaper vaccines, more vaccines. https://www.nytimes.com/2020/08/27/health/covid-19-vaccines.html 11/13

What if the First Coronavirus Vaccines Aren’t the Best?

Dozens of research groups around the world are playing the long game, convinced that their experimental vaccines will be cheaper and more powerful than the ones leading the race today.

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/08/27/health/covid-19-vaccines.html

BUT: we still need to see the rest of the data from Pfizer/BioNTech’s trial—not just to ensure it’s really as effective as it seems, but that it’s definitely safe. Still, this is the kind of first data that makes vaccine experts happy. 12/13

Anyway—for more questions and answers about this history-making day, check out this explainer from @katie_thomas and me https://nyti.ms/3pcNX3f 13/13

Pfizer’s Covid Vaccine: 11 Things You Need to Know

What’s the big deal? Was it part of Operation Warp Speed? When can you get one?

https://nyti.ms/3pcNX3f

You can follow @carlzimmer.

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