Summary
In a podcast episode of The Drive, host Peter Attia interviews Dr. Paul Offit, a pediatrician specializing in infectious diseases and an expert on vaccines, immunology, and virology. The discussion centers around the development of a vaccine for COVID-19, including the four strategies for pursuing a vaccination against the virus, the major companies in each category, their life cycle, and potential risks. The development of a vaccine typically takes 15-20 years and costs at least $1 billion, but the government's Operation Warp Speed has allowed for the rapid development of a COVID-19 vaccine.
The most common strategy for creating a vaccine is to introduce the gene that codes for the coronavirus spike protein, which induces the body to make antibodies. This is done through messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccines, DNA vaccines, and replication defectives simian or human adenovirus vaccines. The mRNA vaccines are the easiest to mass-produce, but they require complex lipid delivering systems to stabilize the mRNA. The mRNA vaccines also continue to amplify themselves in the cell for months after inoculation. The virus itself sheds infectious virus for about a week, but the messenger RNA can be detected in the back of the throat for up to three months.
The discussion also covers potential risks and safety concerns associated with different types of COVID-19 vaccines. The mRNA vaccines from Moderna and Pfizer are considered safe, while the adenovirus-based vaccines from Johnson & Johnson and AstraZeneca have had some clinical holds due to neurological issues. The protein-based vaccines, which involve using recombinant DNA technology, have a lot of commercial experience and are considered safe. Sanofi GSK is one of the companies developing a protein-based vaccine, but they have not yet entered phase three trials. Overall, safety concerns are being closely monitored, and any serious side effects are expected to be detected within two months of vaccination.
The podcast also discusses the importance of neutralizing antibodies, the potential gender disparity in response to the virus, and the challenges associated with distributing a vaccine. The speaker notes that the first tier group for vaccine distribution includes healthcare workers, essential personnel, and those with high-risk medical conditions, which amounts to about 150 million adults in the US. The speaker also expresses concern about the long-term effects of the virus, particularly its ability to cause vasculitis and cardiomyopathy. Finally, the speaker indicates that they would be willing to take a vaccine once they have seen the data and feel confident in its safety and efficacy.
