The COVID-19 pandemic has infected millions of people with no clear signs of abatement owing to the high prevalence, long incubation period and lack of established treatments or vaccines. Vaccines are the most promising solution to mitigate new viral strains. The genome sequence and protein structure of the 2019-novel coronavirus (nCoV or SARS-CoV-2) were made available in record time, allowing the development of inactivated or attenuated viral vaccines along with subunit vaccines for prophylaxis and treatment. Nanotechnology benefits modern vaccine design since nanomaterials are ideal for antigen delivery, as adjuvants, and as mimics of viral structures. In fact, the first vaccine candidate launched into clinical trials is an mRNA vaccine delivered via lipid nanoparticles. To eradicate pandemics, present and future, a successful vaccine platform must enable rapid discovery, scalable manufacturing and global distribution. Here, we review current approaches to COVID-19 vaccine development and highlight the role of nanotechnology and advanced manufacturing. In December 2019, a novel coronavirus (nCoV or SARS-CoV-2) belonging to the betacoronavirus family emerged. All human betacoronaviruses are unique from one another; however, they do share a certain degree of genetic and structural homology. SARS-CoV-2 genome sequence homology with SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV is 77% and 50%, respectively. In contrast to the relatively smaller outbreaks of SARS-CoV in 2002 and MERS-CoV in 2012, SARS-CoV-2 is exhibiting an unprecedented scale of infection, resulting in a global pandemic declaration of Coronavirus Infectious Disease (COVID-19) on 11 March 2020 by the World Health Organization (WHO). On 1 June 2020, the World Health Organization reported >6 million confirmed cases and 371 thousand deaths globally. Of note, during the 1918 influenza pandemic, more death was observed in the second phase of outbreak. Similar to influenza, COVID-19 harbours the potential to become a seasonal disease. The high infection rate, long incubation period, along with mild-to-moderate symptoms experienced by many, make COVID-19 a troubling disease. A vaccine is crucial, in particular because data indicate asymptomatic transmission of COVID-19. More than 10 years ago, scientists predicted the pandemic potential of the coronaviruses. And for the past 30 years, a once-per-decade novel coronavirus has pushed our public health system to the limit, with SARS-CoV-2 being the most severe. Despite the repeated warnings and discussion, the world was not prepared for this pandemic. The rapid development, distribution and administration of a vaccine to the global population is the most effective approach to quell this pandemic and the only one that will lead to a complete lifting of restrictions. Challenges include the vaccine design itself, but also its manufacture and global distribution; cold chain requirements present logistical and fiscal barriers to the availability of important, life-saving vaccines in resource-poor areas of the world. Innovating vaccine delivery platforms and devices to break cold chain limitations are therefore an efficient solution to safeguard potent vaccination for both wealthy and lower-income countries.

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Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences & Emerging Drugs
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