Drug Testing: The Great Vaccine Experiment
Not every American will want to take the new Coronavirus vaccine once it has been approved. But there are many who have already stepped up to take the vaccines that will help to determine if and when the rest of us should.
Becoming a vaccine guinea pig is a choice that these volunteers have already made.
With over 130 vaccines being tested all Americans will be called upon to make this choice in the future after a new vaccine is approved. With the rush to push out the new vaccines some side effects will not be known until millions have actually taken it and enough time has passed.
Many times we simply go to the doctor, get vaccines, and never worry about contracting harmful illnesses. The truth is that brave souls of the past developed the world that we live in today. The vaccines that we currently use were once tested on volunteers in the past to ensure their safety to the general public.
How Safe Is Vaccine Testing?
One key fact to remember about vaccine testing is that the vaccines are not simply thrown together in haste and tested out. Rather, the vaccines that are tested on humans have typically been tested previously on animals. When considered safe on animals, the vaccines are send to the FDA for approval to test on humans.
Once approved by the FDA, the vaccine may be tested on humans. However, many testing institutes are universities where they require an additional institutional review by a board of scientists, community members, physicians, and pharmacists. Upon passing this second institution review, the vaccine is tested on human subjects.
Are There Side Effects?
As with any sort of medical study, there is always a possibility of adverse side effects when undergoing vaccine testing. In most cases, side effects of vaccines are mild. They include instances like:
- Soreness
- Redness
- Swelling
- Seizures (severe cases)
Since the new vaccines have only been tested on animals, there is an increased risk for side effects. Participants in vaccine testing are given a list of the potential risks involved with the study before it is conducted. This way, the individual is fully informed of any potential side effects before agreeing to undergo testing.
What Are The Benefits Of Being A Vaccine Guinea Pig?
Vaccines also referred to as immunizations, are given to children and adults all around the globe. They work to protect individuals from diseases that once killed thousands. In fact, many diseases, like polio, are now completely non-existent in the United States thanks to the use of vaccines. As a vaccine tester, you help to ensure the safety of millions of Americans in the future.
As with any sort of medical study, there will be a select few who take the plunge to undergo new medical vaccines. While there are health risks involved with any new vaccine, that doesn't mean they should stop everyone from getting the vaccine. In fact, vaccines have the potential to eliminate harmful diseases and make the world a safer place.
What Are The Cons Of Being A Vaccine Guinea Pig?
As you learned above, vaccine testing happens to a select group of people. This testing usually starts with a group of 20 to 100 individuals. If considered relatively safe, then the testing is moved to a couple of hundred people and then a thousand. Along the testing route, there are risks involved.
These new vaccines can have some potentially negative side effects on the tester. While most cases of side effects are mild, some can be life-threatening or altering. While many study participants are paid for their commitment to the testing, they can end up with side effects for life.
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