There is still no authorized COVID vaccine in the United States, but Pfizer and Moderna have both announced candidates that are in trials.

In early November, Pfizer announced it had a vaccine candidate that was over 90% effective in a study of 43,538 participants.

On Nov. 30, Moderna presented similar results for their candidate with a 94.1% efficacy rate.

It can take 10 to 15 years for a vaccine to be readily available to the public. SARS and MERS, two other coronavirus strands from the early 2000s, did not receive a vaccine, and they still do not have one. According to the Mayo Clinic, vaccines for SARS improved survival rates in animal testing, but it did not prevent infection.

The FDA has to authorize the vaccine, and then it must undergo three more rounds of clinical trials to ensure its safety. However, processes have been accelerated due to the immediacy of the pandemic and heightened international collaboration throughout development.

On Dec. 3, former presidents Bill Clinton, George W. Bush and Barack Obama stated they would take the vaccine on camera, according to multiple news sources. In the wake of misinformation that vaccines cause other illnesses, this is part of an effort to reassure the public that the vaccine will be safe.

Dr. Moncef Slaoui, the head of Operation Warp Speed, announced that one-third of Americans should have access to the vaccine by February.

The CDC acknowledges that vaccines will be limited when they are first approved, and they will be reserved for at-risk groups and first responders. Check out the eight steps to a vaccine published by the CDC here.

It is still critical to wear a mask, practice social distancing and continue handwashing and sanitizing. There is still a ways to go before a vaccine is available to everyone, and cases have not stopped growing.

On Dec. 10, the FDA will meet to discuss the emergency clearances requested by Pfizer. They may meet again on Dec. 17 to discuss the same request filed by Moderna.

Article by Maclen Johnson