Nations across the world have shut down their borders and imposed a strict freeze to prevent more pressure on the already overloaded healthcare system. At the same time, scientists and researchers across the globe are fighting against time to create a novel coronavirus vaccine. As of now, about 100 study groups have been working around the clock to create a possible COVID-19 vaccine. It is important to note that a human-fit vaccine usually takes years to develop as it passes a series of human trials to test its safety and efficacy. In the clinical evaluation, the World Health Organization is tracking potential COVID-19 vaccines. Here’s taking a look at the potential vaccines which are leading the race: ​The Oxford University In less than three months the University of Oxford developed a vaccine candidate ‘ChAdOx1 nCoV-19.’ The candidate vaccine uses a weakened strain of common cold virus (adenovirus) and is paired with the SARS-CoV-2 genetic material (the COVID-19-causing coronavirus). That will allow the body to recognize the novel coronavirus’ spike protein. The candidate for the vaccine is now in phase 1 clinical trial and healthy volunteers have already been injected to check their safety and efficacy. Massachusetts-based Moderna vaccine In the US, Moderna, a pharmaceutical company based in Massachusetts, is developing an RNA-related vaccine in partnership with the National Institute for Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID). Phase 1 trials have already been completed by the vaccine candidate mRNA-1273, and all are expected to begin phase 2 trials. By reaching the human cells the RNA vaccine functions and holds the molecular instructions for producing the viral protein. When the body recognizes this viral protein it activates the body’s immune system. Beijing-based Sinovac Biotech Chinese scientists claim a potential vaccine for the novel coronavirus in monkeys has been successfully tested. The researchers injected the monkeys with the potential vaccine PiCoVacc made by Sinovac Biotech, a Chinese biopharmaceutical company, to conduct this experiment. The monkeys were subsequently exposed to novel coronavirus, and it was found that those injected with a dose of the potential vaccine were largely protected against the virus. Real clinical trials are currently ongoing on the vaccine. Pfizer and BioNtech vaccine US-based pharmaceutical company Pfizer and its German partner BioNtech are working together on four candidates for an RNA vaccine. Their vaccine candidate BNT162 also began clinical trials. Their vaccine candidate is based on specially designed messenger RNA (similar to the Moderna vaccine) and the trails for testing the vaccine are taking place in the United States and they plan to test 360 healthy volunteers for the potential vaccine. What is the position of Vaccine COVID-19 in India The Indian Medical Research Council (ICMR) has teamed up with Bharat Biotech International Limited (BBIL) to develop the COVID-19 vaccine according to recent reports. It is important to note that the vaccine will use isolated virus strain at the National Virology Institute (NIV), in Pune. The strain was moved from NIV to BBIL with success. Also, India’s Serum Institute (SII), the world’s largest producer of vaccines by amount, has collaborated with Oxford University to develop up to 60 million doses of a possible vaccine. ​The BCG vaccine The live-attenuated vaccine candidate Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) is in step 2/3 and will be used against tuberculosis to improve the immune system. Clinical trials are underway to test the effectiveness and safety of this candidate vaccine in protecting people against COVID-19. Stay Safe Stay Healthy!!!