Vaxxers

“How do you develop a vaccine to combat a new virus in record time?” This book reveals the unstoppable journey of scientists who raced against the clock to curb a global pandemic.

1. Vaccines Were in Development Long Before COVID-19 Emerged

For many, COVID-19 vaccines seemed to appear out of nowhere – quick fixes to an unprecedented problem. However, researchers had been investigating the science of vaccine creation for years in anticipation of emerging viruses. For instance, coronaviruses, a family of viruses including SARS and MERS, were already under study when the novel SARS-CoV-2 arrived on the scene.

In 2002, SARS-CoV emerged, infecting humans via wildlife in China. The outbreak was contained using contact tracing and quarantine, but no vaccine was developed at the time due to temporary disinterest once the virus subsided. Similarly, when MERS surfaced in 2012, it brought attention to the need for faster vaccine processes. This virus spread to humans through camels, again underscoring vulnerabilities in global health systems.

The researchers at Oxford used the lessons from these earlier diseases to prepare for future challenges. They knew another crisis was inevitable; they just didn’t know when or where.

Examples

• Research into bat coronaviruses provided insights into SARS-CoV, a biological cousin to SARS-CoV-2.
• MERS showed how animal-human interactions could trigger contagious disease outbreaks.
• SARS prompted scientists to study quarantine and tracing methods as control measures.

2. Ebola’s Tragic Lessons Shaped Vaccine Technology

The 2014 Ebola epidemic was a turning point for understanding gaps in outbreak responses. Although Ebola had struck multiple times since its discovery in 1976, no vaccine or effective treatment existed. Researchers scrambled but struggled – testing and scaling systems weren’t ready.

Oxford scientists began developing a new vaccine framework called ChAdOx1 around the same time. Drawing lessons from a shelved Ebola vaccine known as ChAd3, they created a simian adenoviral-vectored platform. This framework allowed them to build vaccines for various diseases by swapping in specific genetic codes without starting from zero for each virus.

The battle against Ebola taught researchers a sad but valuable lesson: urgency, preparedness, and flexible systems could mean the difference between controlling or failing to control a future epidemic.

Examples

• Scientists tested an Ebola vaccine called VSV only after major outbreaks rendered it urgent.
• They stored experience from the dormant ChAd3 vaccine for future use.
• Oxford researchers refined ChAdOx1 technology for multi-virus adaptability.

3. Platform Technology Revolutionized Vaccine Speed

The creation of vaccine “platforms” mirrored an assembly-line process – steps for production were honed in advance, leaving only virus-specific tweaks to address outbreaks. For COVID-19, the Oxford team drew on their pre-developed ChAdOx1 platform.

This was nothing new to the team, who had already used the platform for both influenza and MERS vaccines. When the genetic sequence for SARS-CoV-2 was published in January 2020, they simply inserted the spike protein sequence into the platform. Within two days, the vaccine was basically ready for further steps.

Just like bakers pre-prepare cakes and finalize toppings later, vaccine platforms enable researchers to streamline lab work. The advantage lies in speed – a much-needed asset during a fast-moving pandemic.

Examples

• The MERS vaccine was built using the same ChAdOx1 framework, proving its versatility.
• The WHO included unknown “Disease X” as a priority partly thanks to platform advancements.
• By reusing known technology, the Oxford team reduced design time to less than 48 hours.

4. “At-Risk” Development Reduced Timelines

Traditionally, vaccine development is cautious and sequential – researchers wait for one stage’s success before starting the next. However, during the COVID-19 emergency, skipping this waiting period internationally reduced overall timelines dramatically. Oxford’s team embraced this “at-risk” approach, putting their trust in early platforms to streamline later stages.

In essence, proceeding “at-risk” meant risking time and funding – but not safety. Even as decisions were made quickly, all safety measures remained intact. For instance, while production started ahead of some test results, meticulous sterility checks were upheld.

Without this strategy, a vaccine wouldn’t have been available when the virus was at its peak worldwide. Risk-taking often pays off in extraordinary circumstances, and this was one of those cases.

Examples

• Teams moved into vaccine production before Phase I human trials were fully complete.
• Centrifuges and bioreactors helped fast-track cell purification and vial filling processes.
• The Oxford group finished this step in record time: 65 days from design to ready doses.

5. Partnering with AstraZeneca Made Global Production Possible

Vaccine creation is one thing; producing billions of doses is another. Before Oxford partnered with AstraZeneca, they didn’t have the capacity to manufacture enough vaccines for global needs. AstraZeneca, with its pharmaceutical resources, helped solve this by scaling the vaccine-production process worldwide.

One key breakthrough was using bioreactors to ramp up production. Dr. Sandy Douglas had envisioned large 1,000-liter tanks capable of growing millions of doses, which was crucial for meeting global demand. Another game-changer was the vaccine’s straightforward storage and transportation requirements compared to competitors like Pfizer or Moderna.

By leveraging AstraZeneca’s infrastructure, the Oxford vaccine could reach areas that might’ve otherwise waited years for adequate supply.

Examples

• Partnerships ensured billions of doses were distributed worldwide starting mid-2020.
• The vaccine could be refrigerated normally, unlike other mRNA options requiring ultra-low temperatures.
• Large-scale support came from the UK government’s Vaccine Taskforce funding.

6. Extensive Trials Proved Safety and Efficacy

Testing vaccines against an unknown virus is complex and requires meticulous care. The Oxford experts began by vaccinating animals, observing their immune response when exposed to the virus. Encouraged by results, trials moved to humans. Double-blind setups ensured credibility while testing among varied age groups added reliability.

Three clinical phases tested how the vaccine worked across demographics. Phase III trials, the largest, were conducted globally in diverse locations like South Africa and Brazil to understand varying conditions. Two doses spaced twelve weeks apart produced the strongest results, reducing infection likelihood.

Rigorous studies paved the way for official approval in December 2020, marking a watershed moment during the pandemic.

Examples

• Animal trials showed vaccinated models fared significantly better after exposure to SARS-CoV-2.
• Double-blind protocols kept researchers and participants unbiased during testing.
• Global trials included regions with different virus strains, boosting real-world reliability.

7. Vaccine Adaptability Led to Lifesaving Solutions

SARS-CoV-2 wasn’t static – mutations created variants that could evade immunities. The Oxford vaccine demonstrated an ability to adapt relatively quickly when variants such as Delta emerged. Researchers foresaw that evolving viruses required ongoing vigilance for vaccine updates.

Because the ChAdOx1 platform was so versatile, adapting the vaccine for new strains became a simpler process. The modular nature also highlighted lessons for upcoming healthcare challenges: making adaptable vaccines often saves countless lives long-term.

Variations like Lambda reaffirmed the importance of reactive science and flexible preparation.

Examples

• Adjusting genetic sequences enabled Oxford to address the Alpha and Beta variants.
• Flexibility meant less lead time when future updates were required.
• Other medical insights from the same platform focused on emerging viruses.

8. Global Skepticism Challenged Vaccine Success

Despite groundbreaking progress, public trust became a barrier. Vaccine misinformation spread rapidly, leading to hesitancy across some regions. Stories tying microchips to vaccines or outright denial of COVID’s threat undermined confidence in medical efforts.

Oxford’s scientists recognized the need for education and outreach, collaborating with communities to strengthen trust. Communication campaigns highlighting vaccine accessibility and benefits provided a counterbalance to false narratives.

Trust-building will be essential not just for current challenges but also for addressing Epidemic Y when it strikes in the future.

Examples

• Online vaccination diaries and transparency during trials aimed to reassure participants.
• Outreach in underserved and hesitant communities helped dispel myths.
• Simpler storage of the Oxford vaccine eased adoption compared to ultra-cold chains.

9. Preparing for Disease Y Means Thinking Ahead

Disease Y – the next unknown, inevitable virus – looms on the horizon. If COVID-19 taught one thing, it’s that the world needs better systems: enhanced research labs, pandemic-focused funding pipelines, and global agreements for coordinated action.

Industrial farming, which fosters disease crossovers, remains a foreseeable trigger point for outbreaks. To tackle epidemiological uncertainties, researchers must proactively study thousands of unexamined viruses now – long before humanity comes face-to-face with their effects.

The response to COVID-19 laid groundwork, but doubling these efforts ensures the next major outbreak is met with readiness, not panic.

Examples

• “Disease X” recognition emphasized preparedness years before COVID became reality.
• Funding lapses during Ebola outbreaks hindered more robust solutions.
• Stockpiling PPE and critical lab supplies post-COVID reflects lessons learned.

Takeaways

1. Educate local communities to build trust around vaccines and science, countering misinformation with transparency.
2. Push for governments to fund continuous vaccine development platforms and global pandemic preparedness programs.
3. Accelerate studies of lesser-known viruses to anticipate how they may impact public health in the future.