How do researchers develop new vaccines, and when can we expect a COVID-19 vaccine to be ready? Medical laboratory science professor Eyal Amiel addressed these questions on the WCAX Sunday morning news show, “You Can Quote Me.” He joined professor Christine Wojewoda, Director of Microbiology at the Larner College of Medicine, to explain coronavirus testing basics and the process for developing a vaccine, from ascertaining its safety to gauging its effectiveness.

An expert on cellular molecular biology and disease immunity, Dr. Amiel told show host Cat Viglienzoni that early trials of COVID-19 vaccines show promise, and we will likely see a vaccine ready for global dissemination by early 2021.

“The fact that we’re already seeing good signs per the first two criteria, safety and driving immune responses, I think that people can trust the reports we’re hearing from the NIH and the CDC and globally that the vaccines look good,” Amiel said. 

The segment also focused on the different types of COVID tests, what happens to samples after they are collected, and the team effort involved in getting samples tested in a timely manner.

See the interview on the WCAX website.