Loh Down on Science: Special Pandemic Edition

Loh Down on Science: Special Pandemic Edition


Deus Ex Vaccina

May 24, 2020

The world waits for a coronavirus vaccine. But this isn’t the first time it’s taken a little longer than ideal.


For nearly forty years, scientists have searched for a vaccine for HIV, the virus behind the AIDS epidemic. Although they’re still searching, drugs, treatment and technology have made an HIV diagnosis a little better. The good news is that coronavirus shares more in common with other viruses than a devious trickster like HIV... and it all comes down to copying skills.


Written and reported by Brenna Biggs.


References:




  1. Picheta, R. What happens if a coronavirus vaccine is never developed? It has happened before. CNN Health (2020).




  2. Bazell, R. Finding the way again after failed AIDS vaccine. NBC News (2007).




  3. Ries, J. COVID-19 Will Mutate — What That Means for a Vaccine. Healthline (2020).