Fact Check: Have Israeli scientists developed a vaccine for Coronavirus?
By Satya Priya BN Published on 16 March 2020 3:19 AM GMT
Hyderabad: Even though the number of Coronavirus cases in China is on the decrease, more than 1,50,000 people have been affected worldwide. Doctors are using a combination of drugs to treat these cases. People are hoping for a vaccine that will prevent the spread of the virus.
Meanwhile, an image of a vial with "Coronavirus vaccine" written on it has become viral on various social media platforms. It claims that scientists in Israel have discovered a vaccine for the virus. "No more Corona deaths," the post reads.
Fact Check:
This claim is MISLEADING.
The development of a vaccine is a robust procedure with hundreds of tests conducted in different phases. It begins with laboratory tests. If the drug shows potential it is then tested on animals. If it is proved safe on animals, it is then tested on humans. These tests on humans have many phases to test various side effects.
The tests should show that all benefits from the vaccine outweigh the potential risks on people who take the vaccine. Only then the FDA approves the license for that particular vaccine. The testing procedure itself can take years.
According to a report in The Guardian, about 35 companies and academic institutions are racing to create a vaccine for Coronavirus. A few of them are ready to test their drugs on animals and they might enter the human testing phase by April. These studies are still ongoing and may succeed in the meantime.
According to a press release by MIGAL Research Institute, they have developed an effective vaccine against avian Coronavirus Infectious Bronchitis Virus (IBV), which can be adapted soon to create a human vaccine against COVID-19. This vaccine is for chicken and other birds and NOT for humans.
According to WHO, there is no vaccine or an antiviral medicine to prevent or treat COVID-19, yet.
Therefore, the claim that Israeli scientists have discovered a vaccine for COVID -19 is MISLEADING. Though many tests are being conducted to develop a vaccine, there is NO approved vaccine for the virus, yet.
