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Published on: Apr 04, 2020
3 minute read
By: Dr Rajan Choudhary

Developing A Vaccine For COVID-19? Part 1

It is often stated vaccination has made the greatest contribution to global health of any human discovery, other than clean water and sanitation, and their impact on everyday life is immediately evident. We have managed to completely eradicate two major infections from existence (smallpox and rinderpest) , and the WHO are working towards adding polio to that list.

In these cases the numbers speak for themselves. It is estimated that the eradication of smallpox in 1980 has saved 5 million lives per year, adding up to 150 to 200 million by 2018. Common vaccination programmes for polio, measles, mumps, rubella, rabies and hepatitis A have prevented nearly 200 million cases from occurring in the US alone over the past 50 years, and 4.5 billion instances of the diseases worldwide.

We have achieved a 99% immunisation rate against polio, preventing children from suffering crippling paralysis, and only 3 countries remain. Sadly, around 1.4 million children under 5 still die from preventable diseases each year as they do not have access to these life saving vaccines, but charities and public health organisations around the world are working hard to improve access.

So what are vaccines? And how will they help is in the face of the latest pandemic? Here we will go into the challenges behind making vaccines, and why a vaccine against COVID-19 is unlikely to be ready in the next few months, or even this year.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4024226/ contribution of vaccination

https://www.who.int/features/factfiles/polio/en/ polio eradication

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/03/170303163208.htm study article

WHAT IS A VACCINE

The human body’s immune system is incredibly smart. It is able to distinguish between infective organisms, such as bacteria, viruses and parasites, from our own body’s cells, target these invaders for destruction and keep our bodies healthy. Even better, the body remembers any previous infections it has had before, recognise these previous infections even quicker and even eradicate the disease before we know we are infected.

Vaccines target the immune system’s memory by presenting them with pieces of these infective diseases. The small amounts do not cause any infective symptoms, but if the person is infected later in life their body will mount a quicker response and prevent them from falling ill. These vaccines can contain broken up parts of the organisms, “dead” organisms or “live” versions that have been severely weakened so they cannot cause any harm.

In summary, medicines treat us when we get an infection. Vaccines make sure we never suffer from an infection in the first place.

https://www.chop.edu/centers-programs/vaccine-education-center/making-vaccines/how-are-vaccines-made Making Vaccines

THE HURDLES WE FACE IN RESEARCH

Making a vaccine is a difficult process, one that can take 3–5 years and cost hundreds of millions of dollars, sometimes billions of dollars. This is because there are many difficult steps to be taken in the process of creating a vaccine that is effective, but more importantly one that is safe.

To start with the troubling organism has to be identified. For COVID-19 it took a few weeks to recognise the virus responsible, and some time more to understand its genetic code and grow the virus in lab conditions. We then have to understand the virus, how it infects, how it causes symptoms, and how it has mutated compared to the coronaviruses responsible for SARS and MERS.

After this, we have to isolate parts of the virus our immune system will recognise. This is usually the outside coat of the virus. The DNA responsible for making these parts need to be found in the virus’ genetic code, and put inside other “skeleton” viruses. This will force the dummy virus to look like coronavirus, without the ability to infect and kill someone.

These dummy viruses can be injected into animals to see if it causes an immune reaction, whether the immune system recognises it as the coronavirus responsible for COVID-19, and whether it will protect the animal from the real COVID-19. Up to now the research has likely cost a few million dollars. The next step is when the price inflates up to billions.

If the vaccine appears safe in animals, it can be tested in humans. This can be dangerous at first, since we don’t know whether a vaccine that works in an animal will work in a human. And we don’t know if there will be any side effects to the vaccine. Human testing has to be very thorough, very careful, and safe for use. If you give too much of the virus it might make the person sick, too little and it wont immunise the person. These clinical trials can take years, and if the vaccine fails at this point its back to the drawing board, to try another step.

https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2014/10/how-to-make-an-ebola-vaccine-5-simplified-steps/454443/ ebola vaccine

Now we have a basic understanding of what vaccines are and why it takes so long to make a vaccine. In the next part we will look at why viral vaccines can cause even more problems, and how far we have come with the COVID-19 vaccine,

Dr Rajan Choudhary, London UK

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Walking Meetings via Voice Chat: A Smarter Way to Boost Health and Productivity in Remote Teams

Remote work has transformed how teams collaborate, but it has also increased sedentary behaviour. Long hours of sitting in front of screens contribute to fatigue, musculoskeletal pain and reduced mental focus. In this context, walking meetings conducted via voice chat have emerged as a simple yet effective corporate wellness practice that aligns productivity with health.

Walking meetings do not require additional time, special equipment or complex planning. They simply reimagine how meetings are conducted.

The Sedentary Challenge in Remote Work

According to WHO and ICMR data:

prolonged sitting increases the risk of heart disease, diabetes and musculoskeletal problems
remote employees often sit longer than office-based workers
screen fatigue negatively affects mental health and productivity

Traditional video meetings unintentionally reinforce inactivity.

What Are Walking Meetings?

Walking meetings are conversations held while participants walk instead of sitting.

In remote settings, these meetings:

are conducted via voice calls
eliminate the need for video screens
allow participants to move freely

They are ideal for one-on-one discussions, team check-ins and brainstorming sessions.

Why Voice Chat Works Best for Walking Meetings

Voice-only meetings:

reduce screen dependency
allow safer movement
encourage active listening

Without visual distractions, participants often engage more deeply in conversation.

Health Benefits of Walking Meetings

Reduced Sedentary Time

Even short walks help:

improve blood circulation
reduce stiffness
activate muscles

WHO recommends breaking prolonged sitting every 30–60 minutes.

Cardiovascular Support

Regular walking:

improves heart health
lowers blood pressure
supports metabolic health

Incorporating movement into meetings contributes to daily activity goals.

Musculoskeletal Relief

Walking reduces:

neck and back strain
shoulder tension
joint stiffness

This is particularly valuable for desk-bound employees.

Mental Health and Cognitive Benefits

Improved Focus and Creativity

Movement increases blood flow to the brain.

Studies cited by Lancet show that walking enhances:

problem-solving
creativity
memory recall

Many people report clearer thinking during walking discussions.

Stress Reduction

Walking helps:

lower cortisol levels
improve mood
reduce mental fatigue

This supports emotional wellbeing in high-pressure work environments.

Productivity Benefits for Organisations

Walking meetings:

reduce meeting fatigue
improve engagement
shorten meeting duration due to focused discussion

Employees often return to tasks feeling refreshed rather than drained.

Cultural Shift Toward Wellness-Oriented Work

Encouraging walking meetings signals:

trust in employees
commitment to wellbeing
flexibility in work culture

This improves morale and retention.

How to Implement Walking Meetings in Remote Teams

Simple steps include:

designating certain meetings as “audio-only”
encouraging participants to walk indoors or outdoors
keeping meetings concise
sharing agendas in advance

Clear guidelines ensure safety and effectiveness.

Safety and Practical Considerations

Best practices include:

avoiding walking in unsafe or crowded areas
using earphones for clarity
walking at a comfortable pace
pausing movement when taking notes

Inclusivity is important—walking should be optional, not mandatory.

Who Benefits Most from Walking Meetings?

Walking meetings are especially helpful for:

remote workers
hybrid teams
roles with frequent discussions
employees experiencing screen fatigue

They are less suitable for data-heavy presentations.

Walking Meetings as Part of Corporate Wellness Programs

Walking meetings complement:

ergonomics initiatives
mental health programs
physical activity challenges

They integrate wellness into daily workflows rather than adding extra tasks.

Long-Term Impact on Workplace Health

Over time, organisations adopting movement-friendly practices observe:

reduced burnout
improved energy levels
healthier work routines

Preventive health strategies are most effective when embedded into daily habits.

Role of Preventive Healthcare Awareness

NITI Aayog and WHO emphasise lifestyle modification as a core preventive health strategy.

Walking meetings align perfectly with this approach by:

reducing inactivity
promoting movement
supporting mental wellbeing

Small changes deliver cumulative benefits.

Conclusion

Walking meetings conducted via voice chat are a practical, low-cost and highly effective way to improve employee health and productivity in remote teams. By replacing sedentary meetings with movement-based conversations, organisations can reduce screen fatigue, enhance focus and support long-term wellbeing. In a remote-first world, walking meetings represent a smarter way to work—where productivity and health move forward together.

References

World Health Organization (WHO) – Physical Activity and Sedentary Behaviour Guidelines
Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) – Lifestyle and Non-Communicable Disease Reports
Lancet – Physical Activity, Cognition and Workplace Health Studies

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