The COVID-19 Vaccine Landscape.

Area of Science:

• Immunology
• Vaccinology
• Infectious Diseases

Background:

• Vaccine development historically used inactivated or attenuated whole pathogens.
• Advances include using specific antigens, cell culture, and novel nucleic acid or vector-based strategies.
• Novel vaccine development for emerging pathogens like SARS-CoV-2 is now a realistic strategy.

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide an overview of the rapidly developing field of SARS-CoV-2 vaccine candidates.
• To highlight lessons learned from previous Betacoronaviridae outbreaks (SARS-CoV-1, MERS-CoV).
• To identify knowledge gaps in vaccine efficacy, correlates of protection, and immunity in vulnerable populations.

Main Methods:

• Review of historical vaccine development approaches.
• Analysis of emerging pathogen vaccine strategies, referencing SARS-CoV-1 and MERS-CoV.
• Examination of preclinical and clinical development of SARS-CoV-2 vaccine candidates.

Main Results:

• 149 SARS-CoV-2 vaccine candidates are under development.
• 17 candidates have progressed to clinical development from preclinical studies.
• Knowledge gaps persist regarding correlates of protection, elderly immunity, and waning immunity.

Conclusions:

• Novel vaccine technologies offer promise for future pandemic response.
• Understanding SARS-CoV-2 immunity requires further research, including animal models and immune interaction studies.
• Continued development and evaluation of diverse vaccine candidates are crucial for combating the pandemic.