The COVID-19 vaccine: A race nearing the finish line

The impact of the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on global health and the economy is so extensive that it has driven several countries to go on a quest for a vaccine. The evaluation of future generation vaccine platforms is the need of the hour. In the majority of nations, innovative technology is being used to hasten the vaccine development process. The evolution of a safe and effective vaccine takes time. The journey from its genesis to making the final product available to the public is a tedious course of action. Vaccines generally function by mimicking the infectious agent, which can be a bacterium, virus, or other microorganisms that cause disease. The characteristic feature of the COVID-19 vaccine development is the use of a wide array of technology platforms, including the virus-like particle, peptide, nucleic acid (DNA and RNA), viral vector (replicating and nonreplicating), live attenuated virus, an inactivated virus, and recombinant protein in the process of vaccine preparation. Despite the hurried nature of their current development, all COVID-19 vaccines being developed will receive regulatory approval only if they meet the rigorous safety and efficacy standards. Effective and productive global co-ordination and co-operation between the vaccine developing agencies, regulating authorities, policymakers, governments, funding organizations, and public health bodies are essential to ensure the large-scale manufacturing and equitable distribution of promising end-stage vaccine candidates. Besides various concerns on the safety and efficacy of various COVID-19 vaccines, the vaccination drive had successfully started in most developed and developing countries in the global race to vaccinate the people.