Creating a COVID-19 vaccine is a complicated, lengthy process

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Researchers are racing to develop a vaccine for COVID-19. But it’s a process that takes time and involves a lot of attention to small details.

The first step is design. That’s when researchers learn about the virus, how it spreads and attacks the body.

Once that’s understood, scientists can find a place to stop the virus along its pathway.

Next comes manufacturing during which researchers grow cells and produce the “vaccine component” or “active ingredient” that will be put into the vaccine.

It then goes to the downstream process where the vaccine component is purified, separated and put in the final formulation.

“At the end of the day, that’s really what you want is a vaccine that not only is efficacious, but also is safe,” said Dr. Jennifer Pancorbo, with North Carolina State’s Biomanufacturing Training and Education Center.

The Food and Drug Administration says safety and effectiveness are the top priorities for a COVID-19 vaccine.

The agency’s commissioner said this week that the process takes time because at each step, the FDA wants to analyze the data.

Cox Media Group