Originally Posted by
CCFCC3PO
With regards to "most informed opinion". Has a survey been undertaken that backs that up? The claims of there being vaccines ready in 12-18 months are definitely catching the headlines. There are quite a few people who are a bit more reserved about the chances.
Michael Mina, assistant professor of epidemiology at Harvard says
There are quite a few others out there. Dr Peter Hotez for one. Also, the inventor of the rotavirus vaccine said
I am not saying that it is impossible for a vaccine to be produced in 12-18 months - I don't really know if it is possible or not. However, if you look at the history of vaccines, one has not been clinically trialled and mass produced in that time frame.
Again, not that this is in any way related, we were told antibody tests would be available within days. From memory, this was a couple of days after the lockdown started. They are available, but they are too unreliable. So, until these scientists explain why a vaccine will be available in 12-18 months, based on current progress, tests, results etc then I will remain cautious about the claims.