A Comprehensive Review of the Status and Challenges in the Genesis of COVID 19 Vaccination Strategies

Abstract: COVID-19 continues to wreak havoc on the global population. Infection with SARSCoV- 2 can be mild, severe, and even life-threatening. It is associated with cytokine storm, lung and even heart damage. With no specific treatment available for this contagious disease, induction of herd immunity through vaccination is being perceived as the only way out through this pandemic. Throughout the world, research groups and pharmaceutical companies are working independently or in collaboration to accelerate the process of COVID-19 vaccine development. Different countries have already started vaccination drives on a large scale to combat the disease. Today, we have a few approved vaccines, some are conventional, while others are subunit protein or nucleotide vaccines. This review describes the various vaccination strategies adopted the clinical and preclinical trials in developing some of the approved COVID-19 vaccines that are being administered around the world. The review also focuses on the challenges and adverse effects reported post-vaccination. Some of the proposed therapies for COVID-19 have also been elucidated. The effectiveness and safety of vaccines towards SARS-CoV-2 new variants suggest that more research in the field needs to be continued in the future.