Today, I'm getting my first COVID-19 vaccine shot. Here in the U.S., most states are using the Pfizer, Moderna, or Johnson & Johnson vaccine. The Astra-Zeneca vaccine is awaiting final approval for emergency use. The fact that we have three vaccines that were developed so fast is a modern-day miracle.
There is a lengthy period of trials and testing here in the U.S., which includes exploratory phases, pre-clinical trials, new drug applications, and 4 phases of vaccine trials. Everything has to be vetted and approved by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). It's easy to see how this process can literally take years.
Look at how long it took to develop other life-saving vaccines:
- Polio - Around 3 years, but that was only after decades of research
- Measles - Around 2 years
- Mumps - 4 years
- HIV - The first trials for a vaccine began in 1987 (and they're still ongoing)
The fact that it took around 9 months for four vaccines to be developed and approved for emergency use is absolutely amazing. A truly heroic effort by scientists and medical experts that will end up saving millions of lives. I don't know that we would've had this result at any other time in history.
Hopefully, it will allow us to return to normal life soon.
Have you been vaccinated yet?
Christmas Charade - Covington Falls Chronicles
The story revolves around Magnolia (Maggie) Lewis. She left Covington Falls over a family rift and the desire to follow her dream as an artist and sculptor. Now, she has to return for her cousin's Christmas wedding. She can't go back alone, however, because everyone thinks she has a boyfriend. (It was just a tiny lie.) A non-boyfriend who has no idea he's about to get dragged into her family drama.
Convincing Liam Sullivan to be her fake date to the wedding is only the first challenge. She needs to make sure she doesn't fall in love with him for real.
AMAZON / ITUNES / BARNES & NOBLE / KOBO
(Google Play coming soon!)
No comments:
Post a Comment