Human Vaccines & Immunotherapeutics (Nov 2021)

Expanded principles of ethics and its implementation during COVID-19 vaccine trials: A scoping evidence based research synthesis

  • Vaibhav Kumar,
  • Venetia Aranha,
  • Rajni Rajgarhia,
  • Abhishek Royal,
  • Kedar Mehta

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1080/21645515.2021.1947101
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 17, no. 11
pp. 3843 – 3849

Abstract

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The COVID-19 pandemic will subside only through the emergence and distribution of an efficacious vaccine. The two main aspects that should be maintained in equilibrium: the dire necessity for speedy vaccine research and the need for safeguarding the research subjects, which is of utmost concern in research ethics. This opens up a discussion of what norms to follow during the clinical trials while developing the vaccine. As of now, various companies like Moderna, Pfizer, University of Oxford, Astra-Zeneca and so on have moved beyond the safety, efficacy and immunogenic studies. This narrative review explores and discusses the key principles of ethics: a principle of autonomy, beneficence, non-maleficence, and justice along with its ten general expanded principles. Furthermore, it delves into the different types of vaccines, their mechanisms, side effects, limitations, and advantages.

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