Opinion
Human challenge studies to speed development of a COVID-19 vaccine are unethical
By Charles Weijer September 14, 2020
If COVID-19 challenge studies are not ethical at present, do they have a future role in vaccine development? I believe they may.
While the effects of COVID-19 on the lungs is widely known, it has emerged that the virus can infect the heart, major blood vessels, and the brain resulting in myocarditis, strokes, and other neurological sequelae. Even more worrisome, are the increasing numbers of people reporting symptoms that persist months after acute illness, so-called coronavirus 'long haulers,' writes Charles Weijer. iStock photograph
LONDON, ONT.—The COVID-19 pandemic is a once-in-a-century global health crisis. In Canada, a coordinated public health response, involving physical distancing, testing, contact tracing, and isolation of cases and contacts, has largely been successful in “flattening the curve.” Yet, many European countries are now in the midst of a second wave that Canada may not be able to avoid. It seems clear that a return to normal life will not occur until a safe and effective vaccine is widely available.
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