Health Team

Duke experts: 3 major challenges the country faces once a COVID vaccine is ready

Coronavirus vaccines are on their way to people across the world. Duke experts believe within a year or so, life may once again have some sense of normalcy.

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By
Lora Lavigne
, WRAL Durham reporter
DURHAM, N.C. — The long-anticipated defense in the fight against COVID-19 is almost here. Duke experts believe within a year or so, life may once again have some sense of normalcy.

However, even with a vaccine, there are challenges ahead.

1. It takes time to distribute to everyone

First, it will take time to distribute the vaccine to everyone.

“Be happy that we are starting to see some light at the end of this tunnel,” said Thomas Denny, the chief operating officer of the Duke Human Vaccine Institute.

After several promising trials, manufacturers and governments are preparing to vaccinate billions of people in the next year and beyond.

“Whenever you do something of this size, there’s probably going to be some setbacks along the way. Batches that don’t meet quality control will not be able to be released,” said Denny.

2. Rich nations may hoard the vaccine

“Rich nations are hoarding the vaccine. We all know now about the Pfizer and Moderna vaccine. Over 80% of all doses of those two vaccines have already been purchased by rich nations – with poor nations left behind,” said Dr. Gavin Yamey, a global health and public policy professor at Duke Global Health Institute.

Concerns are growing over how the vaccines will be distributed to low income countries. In America, inequities in healthcare, racial disparity and accessibility in rural communities remain a top issue. Especially, for vaccines that will require a little more work to stay cold and effective.

“We’re going to have to be prepared to supplement those areas, provide some type of cooling devices to get vaccines distributed,” added Denny.

3. Vaccine-resistance among the public

The biggest barrier health professionals will have to face is vaccine resistance among the public.

“When people talk about vaccine hesitancy, we have to figure out what’s going on,” said Yamey.

There's still plenty of reason for hope

Aside from facing these hurdles, experts still predict to see a large number of people vaccinated by the second half of 2021.

Duke experts also pointed out the need to begin a vaccination plan for children and a clinical trial that will best serve COVID studies in younger age groups.

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