Médecins Sans Frontières - How is a vaccine developed? - Video animation

Unique Identifier Code / URN MSB27197

Date taken / Date Recorded 18/11/2020 12:00 AM

Country Brazil

Commissioning section MSF-BRAZIL

Copyright MSF

Usage Rights (MSF) MSF Fundraising, MSF Publications, Social Media

Formal Consent Copy available yes

Editor's rating ★★★★★★★ (A)

Video format h264 (Main) (avc1 / 0x31637661)

Duration 2m23s

Maximum Size 1920px × 1080px 100.30 MB

Additional Information / Shotlist Scientists around the world are working to develop a vaccine for the new coronavirus, SARS-Cov-2, responsible for COVID-19.

Lettering: DEVELOP A VACCINE

Lettering: COVID-19

If this actually happens in the coming months, it will be one of the greatest triumphs in history. Discovering a virus and developing a vaccine in less than two years goes beyond anything science has done before.

Generally it’s a long and complicated process, which usually takes 10 to 15 years.

But do you know what it involves? How is a vaccine developed?

Lettering: HOW IS A VACCINE DEVELOPED?

First, you need to know the cause of the disease, study the virus or bacteria in detail, and understand how the organism reacts.

Lettering: UNDERSTAND HOW THE ORGANISM REACTS

Lettering: PRECLINICAL PHASE

In the preclinical phase, tests are done with the virus in vitro.

Lettering: LIVING ORGANISMS CAN ALSO BE TESTED IN THIS PHASE

Lettering: PHASE 1

In phase 1, researchers want to understand how the vaccine behaves in human beings. Since they don’t yet know what the risks are, the vaccine is only given to a small number of people. At this stage, the main concern is safety.

In this phase, researchers assess possible side effects and evaluate dosage.

Lettering: SMALL NUMBER OF PEOPLE

Lettering: SAFETY

Lettering: SIDE EFFECTS

Lettering: DOSAGE

Lettering: PHASE 2

In phase 2, tests involve a few hundred people. Results from volunteers who receive the vaccine are compared with a control group who receive a placebo. At this stage, researchers want to understand how different organisms respond to the vaccine.

Lettering: A FEW HUNDRED PEOPLE

Lettering: VACCINE

Lettering: PLACEBO

Lettering: PHASE 3

In phase 3, thousands of people are vaccinated so researchers can understand how the vaccine behaves in the “real world.” The idea is that volunteers are exposed to the virus and researchers can evaluate whether they are protected by the formula developed.

Lettering: SOME ARE GIVEN THE VACCINE AND OTHERS A PLACEBO

When all these phases are over, they still need to contact regulatory agencies and conduct final studies to obtain the necessary licences. When the vaccine is finally approved, the production phase begins, which is complex and can take months.

Lettering: REGULATORY AGENCIES

Lettering: OBTAIN NECESSARY LICENCES

Lettering: PRODUCTION PHASE BEGINS

Finally, people need to be vaccinated. When someone is vaccinated, it protects not just them, but everyone in their community.

The more people are vaccinated, the better protected everyone else around them will be.

LETTERING:
THE MORE PEOPLE ARE VACCINATED, THE BETTER PROTECTED EVERYONE ELSE AROUND THEM WILL BE.

How is a vaccine developed? - Video animation - ENG

How is a vaccine developed? - Video animation - ENG