at the same time a German scientist and a successful entrepreneur-billionaire Winfried Plug did not wait for the emergence of clinically tested and licensed vaccine against coronavirus. The founder of the firm, specializing in the production of test-systems and equipment for laboratory diagnostics, he created the vaccine and tested it on himself. The test ended with complete success.
Thus it is possible to talk about the first vaccination against coronavirus proven. Albeit to one person.
the idea and its incarnation, the scientist-entrepreneur, Emeritus Professor of the University of Lübeck (Germany) and Professor at the medical College in the Chinese city of Wuhan (Yes, the same one) spoke in detail on his web page.
“the Force with which we hit the coronavirus, requires a non-traditional approach”, begins Winfried Plug. Note that specialists of his company among the first established reagents for the detection of a range of new and dangerous infections such as Ebola, West Nile, fever Crimean-Congo, Dengue, and Mayaro, Chikungunya, zika, Japanese encephalitis virus, middle Eastern respiratory syndrome, SARS.
“Based on its extensive experience in the development of new reagents for diagnosis of viral diseases, our scientists quickly and confidently created the antigenic structure, which can reliably detect antibodies to SARS-CoV-2, says Plug. — It is based on the S1 subunit of the spike protein (viral protein shell. A. V.), through which the virus binds to receptors of target cells”.
and here is the idea: “For me, it was evident that immunization with this protein has a protective effect against infection. To save time, I did not ask official permission, and created a recombinant antigen and made a few intramuscular injections of the preparation”.
Billionaire actually refers to risk: he is 73 years old. However, in the manufacture of vaccines, he says, was used only one component of the virus itself is harmless. “It wasn’t dangerous, says Plug. — There was no threat of infection, neither for me nor for my family or for my colleagues.”
Stabbed himself in the thigh. There were made four injection — 26 March (13 micrograms S1), 27 April (13 micrograms), April 28 (26 micrograms), April 29 (39 micrograms). As you can see, the dose was increased. However, all this time, the experimenter, according to his assurances, she felt fine.
But the main thing — the result: the tests showed that the body of the Plug began to produce specific antibodies that neutralize the coronavirus. “Now I’m immune to SARS-CoV-2!” — exclaims the Professor. And his enthusiasm is appropriate.
P�� view of the Plug, to mass vaccination tested viral protein can begin, in principle, right now. To plant one man is required, according to his calculations, 100 micrograms S1: “One 2000-liter reactor can produce 35 grams of antigen per day, which is sufficient for immunization of 350 thousand people.” So this year it would be possible to immunize three quarters of the population of Germany.
Anticipating the objections of skeptics, Plug offers to test it first on a small number of volunteers, then the representatives of the risk group. For example, on the medical staff. The new cases among vaccinated with his vaccine, or dangerous side effects will not be assured Plug.
Opponents are predictably full of doubt. While data are insufficient not only in order to prevent mass use of the vaccine, but even for clinical studies. Everything they say must take its course: first, the drug should be tested on animals, then — in several stages — on the people. Then a slow procedure of obtaining approval from the regulatory authority, the European Agency of medicines… All the way can take anywhere from one to two years.
But to delay the use of the vaccine, according to Plug, even more risky. The delay would be fatal: for this time you will die hundreds of thousands of people who could have been saved.
