Why the wait for a vaccine might be longer than you think

There are several potential vaccines for coronavirus currently in phase 3 trials, but large scale safety and efficacy testing is far from the only hurdles the vaccines face.

The first round of vaccines could have complicated transportation and temperature requirements, and may have limited effectiveness and side effects.

So are the first available vaccines for COVID-19 the ones we’ll have to just deal with forever? Or could the second round of vaccines be even better?

On today’s show:

* Why would a second round COVID vaccine be more effective than a first round COVID vaccine?

* Why could it be another year before we all get vaccinated?

* I live in Melbourne and I am swimming each day in the bay. Does swimming in the sea help kill coronavirus?

* What is your take on electric hand-dryers in toilets? Should they be turned off for good?

* My baby turned one in lockdown in Melbourne. Most of her babyhood has passed in lockdown. What could be the developmental consequences of this for her?

* Why does Norman say «COVID» differently than everyone else? Surely it’s not accent related since it’s a new word?

Tagged as: COVID-19, Coronacast.