The World Health Organization (WHO) announced on Tuesday that a vaccine for the novel coronavirus now COVID-19 could be ready within 18 months.
“We are not defenseless,” according to WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. “The first vaccine could be ready in 18 months, so we have to do everything today using the available weapons to fight this virus.”
The countries affected by the COVID-19 will have to make the most of what they already have to combat the disease that originated in Wuhan, China, the ground zero of the coronavirus that already claimed more than 1000 lives.
Ghebreyesus has labeled the disease a global threat but said it remains a health concern in China. “With 99 percent of cases in China, this remains very much an emergency for that country, but one that holds a very grave threat for the rest of the world.”
“The development of vaccines and therapeutics is one important part of the research agenda,” said Ghebreyesus saying there are still unknown factors that are preventing scientists from reaching a breakthrough.
