Many people believe a vaccine will play a decisive role in containing COVID-19. But to offer billions of safe and effective vaccines is a challenging task. Many Chinese firms are working closely with global pharmaceutical companies to push forward vaccine research and development.

Global efforts on different types of vaccine

Creating a COVID-19 vaccine needs more than just science and courage. A total of 144 volunteers in Taizhou City of east China's Jiangsu Province have participated in phase one tests of an mRNA vaccine, which was jointly developed by China's Fosun Pharma and Germany's BioNTech.

"We need to carry out the phase one and phase two clinical trials in China to check whether this vaccine performs differently on different races. With both global and domestic trial results, we could eventually put the vaccine into market," Wu Yifang, president and CEO of Shanghai Fosun Pharmaceutical (Group) Co., Ltd. explained.

Chinese companies have been working closely with global pharmaceutical giants on clinical trials. In June, China's Clover Biopharmaceuticals began working with Britain's GSK on phase one trials for a protein-based vaccine candidate. 

The mRNA vaccine from Fosun Pharma is now the latest approved candidate to carry out human trails in China.

Wu told CGTN that they chose this type of vaccine technology because it is easy for mass production. Even when the virus undergoes major mutations, new vaccines can be developed quickly, perhaps within one or two months, and the production of this vaccine is relatively safe.

Large-scale vaccination face huge challenges

The World Health Organization (WHO) hopes to have at least two billion doses of effective vaccines by the end of next year. But speeding up vaccine development requires more international collaboration.

David Kaslow, vice president and chief scientific officer of PATH, a non-profit international organization, told CGTN that, when it comes to billions of doses of vaccine, you have to figure out first how you manufacture those, how you supply those, what the supply chain is, and how you allocate those globally. There are a number of different challenges that need to be worked through.

Vaccines and treatments will be the final weapons against the pandemic. But before any vaccine is proven safe and effective, there are still many uncertainties. That is why the international community is working together on different types of candidates.

Int'l organization hails China's role in boosting vaccine development

Chinese major pharmaceutical companies are now working with other global organizations and institutes on pushing forward the phase three clinical trials. At the same time, international organizations including the WHO, GAVI, CEPI and PATH have expanded their cooperation with Chinese firms.

PATH has collaborated with Chinese organizations and manufacturers to save lives for over 40 years. Now PATH's work in China focuses on increasing vaccine collaboration and capacity building for innovative medicines and global health.

Kaslow continued that in addition to working with CNBG's other affiliated institutes, PATH has also partnered with private vaccine manufacturers, who are also actively seeking WHO's pre-qualification, in order to supply vaccines not just in China but also around the world.

It generally takes around eight to 10 years to create a vaccine. But faced with COVID-19, the world is working faster than ever. Six candidates are now entering their final clinical trials thanks to the global efforts. Many companies are striving to make their vaccines ready for the world by the end of this year.