When a COVID-19 vaccine is approved, how long will protection last? – WLWT Cincinnati

The race to develop an effective COVID-19 vaccine is speeding ahead as new, promising data comes from human trials.But when a vaccine is finally given the green light, how will it work and how long will it last?WLWT talked with a local infectious diseases doctor about what he foresees.University of Cincinnati Health is set to take part in a third-phase Moderna vaccine trial soon.Doctors predict there will be a need for several vaccines to be produced globally."I think that will be very hard for one vaccine company to cover the entire world," Dr. Carl Fichtenbaum said.Fichtenbaum is leading studies at UC Health to fight COVID-19, including the upcoming Moderna vaccine trial.Participants will get two injections of the vaccine or a placebo, officials said."We won't know how long the vaccine is effective, so we'll have to figure out whether or not people need boosters, does it need to be annual or not," Fichtenbaum said.The spotlight is now on new data showing candidate vaccines from BioNTech SE and Pfizer, and Astra-Zeneca appearing to be safe, having minor to moderate side effects and stimulating t-cell and antibody responses.Scientists said the Astra-Zeneca, Oxford University candidate produced a response lasting at least two months.Moderna reported promising early results last week.Fichtenbaum believes several vaccines by different companies will be needed around the world to make them widely available."In doctor's offices, pharmacies, hospitals and, you know, there might even be school campaigns," Fichtenbaum said.He said it's not clear if multiple doses will be required or if vaccines will need to be retooled yearly like the flu vaccine, but he hopes people will follow science and get a shot when the time comes."As a society, we have to take that on because if too few of us do it, there will continue to be outbreaks," Fichtenbaum said.He said the 500-patient Moderna vaccine trial at UC Health is not open yet, but start-up calls are underway and the first national sites for the study are set to open later this month.Doctors said there are more than two-dozen vaccines being developed across the country.If you're interested in the Phase 3 clinical trial at UC Health, there are qualifications to be eligible.Officials said those eligible include adults 18 years or older with no known history of COVID-19, but are at risk of being infected.Read more from UC Health about the eligibiltiy requirements and the study here.For more information, call 513-245-3417 or email UCCovidResearch@UCHealth.com.

The race to develop an effective COVID-19 vaccine is speeding ahead as new, promising data comes from human trials.

But when a vaccine is finally given the green light, how will it work and how long will it last?

WLWT talked with a local infectious diseases doctor about what he foresees.

University of Cincinnati Health is set to take part in a third-phase Moderna vaccine trial soon.

Doctors predict there will be a need for several vaccines to be produced globally.

"I think that will be very hard for one vaccine company to cover the entire world," Dr. Carl Fichtenbaum said.

Fichtenbaum is leading studies at UC Health to fight COVID-19, including the upcoming Moderna vaccine trial.

Participants will get two injections of the vaccine or a placebo, officials said.

"We won't know how long the vaccine is effective, so we'll have to figure out whether or not people need boosters, does it need to be annual or not," Fichtenbaum said.

The spotlight is now on new data showing candidate vaccines from BioNTech SE and Pfizer, and Astra-Zeneca appearing to be safe, having minor to moderate side effects and stimulating t-cell and antibody responses.

Scientists said the Astra-Zeneca, Oxford University candidate produced a response lasting at least two months.

Moderna reported promising early results last week.

Fichtenbaum believes several vaccines by different companies will be needed around the world to make them widely available.

"In doctor's offices, pharmacies, hospitals and, you know, there might even be school campaigns," Fichtenbaum said.

He said it's not clear if multiple doses will be required or if vaccines will need to be retooled yearly like the flu vaccine, but he hopes people will follow science and get a shot when the time comes.

"As a society, we have to take that on because if too few of us do it, there will continue to be outbreaks," Fichtenbaum said.

He said the 500-patient Moderna vaccine trial at UC Health is not open yet, but start-up calls are underway and the first national sites for the study are set to open later this month.

Doctors said there are more than two-dozen vaccines being developed across the country.

If you're interested in the Phase 3 clinical trial at UC Health, there are qualifications to be eligible.

Officials said those eligible include adults 18 years or older with no known history of COVID-19, but are at risk of being infected.

Read more from UC Health about the eligibiltiy requirements and the study here.

For more information, call 513-245-3417 or email UCCovidResearch@UCHealth.com.

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When a COVID-19 vaccine is approved, how long will protection last? - WLWT Cincinnati