SUCCESS WITH OTHER DISEASES

These charts show how immunization from polio and the measles stopped the diseases in their tracks. The first outbreaks of polio in the U.S. were discovered in the 1890s, and vaccinations were not available until the 1950s. The first accounts of measles were in the 9th century in Persia. The first vaccine came available in 1963, and the one in use today was introduced in 1968. Before the vaccine, nearly all children got measles by the time they were 15. It is estimated that 400 to 500 people died each year, with hundreds of thousands infected.

Help is on the way

Researchers around the world are developing more than 165 vaccines against the coronavirus, and 31 vaccines are in human trials. Some are hopeful of a breakthrough as early as October, others estimate 2021. Two companies are in Phase 3 trials, treating large numbers of people. In May, the U.S. government awarded BritishSwedish company AstraZeneca $1.2 billion as it began Phase 3 trials on a vaccine. The company hopes to have two billion doses available in the fall On Aug. 11, the government awarded Moderna, also in a Phase 3 trial, $1.5 billion in exchange for 100 million doses if the vaccine proves safe and effective. Some new approaches are being investigated, including DNA-based and RNA-based strategies and replicating and nonreplicating vector strategies, with the hope of identifying a safe and effective vaccine that can be used in the near future.