Bulk Billed Sleep Studies Available - Find Out More
Find a Clinic
47 Locations

Too Fast? Debunking COVID-19 Vaccine Safety Concerns

December 1, 2020

In March, the World Health Organisation announced we were facing a global pandemic. Just nine months later, we have multiple vaccines ready. Never before has a vaccine been developed so quickly – usually, it would take many years. As a result, many people are concerned that the safety of the vaccine has been compromised for the sake of speed. But Professor Jamie Triccas, head of infectious disease and immunology at the University of Sydney, explains why the speed of the vaccine development shouldn’t be a cause for concern.

  1. Unprecedented Investment: Prof. Triccas explains, “The big difference between COVID and other vaccines developed in the past is that clearly the impact has been so great and so widespread the investment has been unprecedented.” The timeline has shaved off years because of the ability to do things in parallel. Time spent grappling for grants, negotiating with pharmaceutical partners, and waiting for manufacturing has all been cut short due to the investment – processes which don’t contribute to the safety of the vaccine.
  2. Head Start: The virus behind COVID-19 is part of the coronavirus family, including other viruses such as SARS and MERS which caused significant outbreaks in the past. This existing knowledge and technology gave researchers a head start.
  3. Millions of doses already made: As a result of incredible investment, millions of vaccine doses have already been made and can be given immediately if the vaccine is proven safe. Normally, manufacturing doses ahead of trial results would carry too much financial risk but this has been covered by overwhelming investments.
  4. Multiple options: It is unheard of to have so many different vaccination options. “It will mean a tremendous improvement in the ability to provide the vaccine worldwide,” Prof. Triccas explains. This is yet again another reason why we are able to roll out vaccines so early – we aren’t relying on one option.

For those still concerned about a vaccine, we in Australia also have the benefit of watching and learning from other countries first. Places such as the US are looking to start rolling out vaccines before the end of the year, giving Australians an opportunity to learn from their experience before we start rolling out our vaccines.

We should celebrate the development of COVID-19 vaccines as an incredible public health breakthrough. It goes to show what can be achieved when people and governments around the world unite against a health issue. Whilst we wait for vaccines to become available, we can keep fighting COVID-19 by remaining socially distant, wearing a mask, washing our hands and getting tested when sick. Stay safe Australia.