An Updated Review of SARS-CoV-2 Vaccines and the Importance of Effective Vaccination Programs in Pandemic Times

An Updated Review of SARS-CoV-2 Vaccines and the Importance of Effective Vaccination Programs in Pandemic Times

Oscar Fraile-Martínez, Natalio García-Honduvilla, Melchor Álvarez-Mon, Julia Buján, Cielo García-Montero, Ana M. Gómez-Lahoz, Lara Sanchez-Trujillo, Jorge Monserrat, Miguel A. Álvarez-Mon, Miguel A. Ortega, Ángel Asúnsolo, Coral Bravo, Diego Torres-Carranza, Luis G. Guijarro, Encarnación Serrano, Juan A De León-Luis

Since the worldwide COVID-19 pandemic was declared a year ago, the search for vaccines has become the top priority in order to restore normalcy after 2.5 million deaths worldwide, overloaded sanitary systems, and a huge economic burden. Vaccine development has represented a step towards the desired herd immunity in a short period of time, owing to a high level of investment, the focus of researchers, and the urge for the authorization of the faster administration of vaccines. Nevertheless, this objective may only be achieved by pursuing effective strategies and policies in various countries worldwide. In the present review, some aspects involved in accomplishing a successful vaccination program are addressed, in addition to the importance of vaccination in a pandemic in the face of unwillingness, conspiracy theories, or a lack of information among the public. Moreover, we provide some updated points related to the landscape of the clinical development of vaccine candidates, specifically, the top five vaccines that are already being assessed in Phase IV clinical trials (BNT162b2, mRNA-1273, AZD1222, Ad26.COV2.S, and CoronaVac).

2021

coronavirus, covid-19, SARS-CoV-2, vaccine acceptance, Vaccine hesitancy, vaccination programs

10.3390/vaccines9050433

Epidemiology and Health

Korean Society of Epidemiology

Medicine