Part 6/13:
Developing a vaccine involves rigorous testing, starting with laboratory experiments and animal models. Bioengineered mice, tailored to be susceptible to SARS-CoV-2, are used to evaluate the vaccine's efficacy and safety. These experiments determine whether vaccinated animals produce sufficient immune responses and are protected against challenge trials—where they are exposed to the live virus.
The process typically takes several years, but the urgency of the pandemic has compressed this timeline to mere months. Researchers aim to accelerate each stage while maintaining safety standards.