Corona vaccine(s) should not be a race to the finish line
A brand new virus, the first pandemic in modern time, and in January or February 2021, we are expecting vaccine approvals. It has been a year, but is that enough? What might the consequences be of this race to the finish line? Jessica Nihlén Fahlquist, associate professor and lecturer at Uppsala University’s Centre for Research Ethics & Bioethics, spoke to Radio Sweden and raised her concerns about a race to the finish line.
“We all want a vaccine against this disease that has affected us in so many ways. As soon as possible. But the urgency might cause us to move too fast. We need to follow protocol and not compromise research ethics. And we need to be aware that there are always risks associated with new vaccines and in this case also a great uncertainty. We don’t know what the risks are, yet” Jessica Nihlén Fahlquist (Link removed) says to Radio Sweden.
She highlights that experts and governments have a responsibility to communicate honestly about risks and uncertainties of new vaccines. To safeguard the public’s trust in other vaccines against old diseases that are well-tried, tested, and safe.