*THE BIG QUESTION: How Will The World Vaccinate Seven Billion?*

Ever since the inception of the deadly virus, there have been several attempts by nations of the world to develop a vaccine that will serve as a cure. In the UK, the heart of that effort is at the Harwell Science Campus, on an ex-RAF airbase in Oxfordshire. Oxford University has already had to secure enough temporary lab space to start manufacturing its vaccine now, even before it knows the results of its global trials.

The endeavour to find the Covid-19 virus has been described by Prime Minister Boris Johnson as the most urgent of our lifetimes. Besides the endeavour of finding the ultimate vaccine, the big question that has rattled and puzzled the minds of many has been the methodology and logistics of ensuring that this vaccine reaches the world population of seven billion people. The international vaccines alliance - Gavi - is urging countries to start thinking about vaccine rollout now. Meanwhile behind closed doors are bilateral deals taking place between drug companies and many rich countries to make sure they can secure supplies if the ultimate vaccine is found. Seth Berkley, Gavi's CEO, says one of the biggest hurdles he's facing is so-called "vaccine nationalism".

As a matter of fact, there has been a series of conspiracy theories surrounding the Covid-19 virus and the anticipated ultimate vaccine which is yet to be discovered. It will intrigue you to know that some describe the word “Covid” to mean “Certificate of Verification Identity”. What does this mean and what implication does it bear in relation to the conspiracy theories that have been postulated? These are unanswered questions that still puzzle the minds of many.

There has also been the challenge to keep the vaccines at low temperatures. Prof Toby Peters, an expert in cold chain logistics at Birmingham University, is helping organisations like Gavi think about how they can maximise existing refrigeration capacity in developing countries. He says: "It's not just a vaccine fridge, it's actually all the other pieces too: the pallets which move it in the planes; the vehicles that move it to the local stores, and then the motorbikes and the people who take it out right into the communities. All these have to work seamlessly."

There has also been the pressing concern of who is going to be the first on the line when the vaccine is finally produced? As Dr Charlie Weller, who is head of vaccines at the UK's Wellcome Trust, says, “countries are going to have to ask some frank questions such as: ‘Who needs this vaccine? Which are the highest risk groups? And who are the highest priority?’ Because what we're pretty clear about is any initial vaccine is likely to outstrip supply, so choices will need to be made." The UK is considering adopting the system which makes use of polling stations as a way to process the population. But for poorer countries it's even more daunting.