Fast-Track Vaccines

The COVID-19 vaccine is being produced so quickly due to a combination of factors involving the research community, government, industry and the public.

"There will be consequences, always, from these choices," says former WHO chair David Salisbury. "But we try to make them with the best interests of the most people at heart."

As of now, confidence in a potential COVID-19 vaccine is lower than confidence in other vaccines, one specialist says.

Researchers say they must overcome deep mistrust of medical research in the Black, Latinx and Native American communities in recruiting volunteers for vaccine testing.

To build public trust, Pfizer shared details of their trials: who was tested, the race and ethnicity of participants, how they were monitored, how to measure success and funding sources.

The manufacturing can't happen until suppliers know exactly which vaccine candidates they're working with.

Katja Busch says efficient vaccine distribution is most dependent on coordinated efforts between the involved parties.

Health departments will need trained personnel and equipment like syringes and vials. And states want special funding.

Julian Sutch, head of Emirates SkyCargo's pharmaceutical division, believes carriers like his are up to the task of global vaccine distribution, but acknowledge there are plenty of challenges to overcome.

World Bank President David Malpass believes his institution will be well situated to both fund and assist in a global COVID vaccine distribution effort.