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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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Insomnia in Teens and How to Manage It

Sleep is essential for growing teens, yet many struggle to get enough of it. From school stress to social media scrolling, teenagers today face multiple challenges that affect their sleep. One of the most common sleep disorders among adolescents is insomnia—the inability to fall asleep, stay asleep, or wake up feeling rested.

In this blog, we’ll break down the causes, effects, and simple strategies to handle insomnia in teens and how to manage it naturally.

What is Insomnia?

Insomnia is a sleep disorder that makes it hard to fall asleep, stay asleep, or get quality rest. Teens with insomnia often feel tired during the day, even if they’ve spent enough time in bed.

There are two main types:

Short-term insomnia: Lasts for a few days or weeks, often triggered by stress or changes in routine.
Chronic insomnia: Occurs at least three times a week for over three months.

Why Is Insomnia Common in Teens?

Teenagers go through many physical, emotional, and social changes. All these factors can disturb their sleep:

1. Hormonal Shifts

During puberty, the sleep hormone melatonin is released later at night. This shifts the body clock, making teens naturally want to sleep and wake up later.

2. Screen Time

Excessive use of phones, tablets, or laptops before bedtime exposes the brain to blue light, which delays melatonin release and interferes with sleep.

3. Academic Stress

Homework, exams, and performance pressure can cause anxiety and overthinking at night, preventing restful sleep.

4. Caffeine Intake

Energy drinks, tea, coffee, and cola consumed in the evening can make it difficult to fall asleep due to their stimulating effects.

5. Mental Health Issues

Anxiety, depression, and emotional distress are often linked with poor sleep in teens.

Signs of Insomnia in Teenagers

Difficulty falling asleep at night
Waking up multiple times during the night
Feeling tired or sleepy during the day
Irritability or mood swings
Trouble focusing in school
Frequent headaches or stomach issues
Increased use of stimulants (coffee, energy drinks)

How Insomnia Affects Teens

Sleep deprivation can harm a teen's physical and mental health. Here are a few ways it affects their well-being:

Poor concentration in school
Weakened immunity
Increased risk of depression and anxiety
Weight gain due to hormonal imbalance
Risky behaviors due to impaired judgment

Teens who consistently sleep less than 7–8 hours are more likely to face emotional and academic challenges.

Natural Ways to Manage Insomnia in Teens

Thankfully, insomnia doesn’t always need medication. Many teens can improve their sleep with simple lifestyle changes.

1. Set a Regular Sleep Schedule

Encourage going to bed and waking up at the same time every day—even on weekends. This helps reset the body’s internal clock.

2. Limit Screen Time Before Bed

Avoid phones, TVs, and tablets at least 1 hour before bedtime. Use “night mode” or blue light filters if screen use is necessary.

3. Practice Relaxation Techniques

Deep breathing, meditation, gentle yoga, or reading a book before bed can calm the mind and prepare the body for sleep.

4. Watch Food and Drink

Avoid heavy meals, sugar, or caffeine in the evening. A light snack like warm milk, bananas, or almonds can promote better sleep.

5. Get Daily Exercise

Physical activity during the day can improve sleep quality—but avoid intense workouts right before bedtime.

6. Create a Sleep-Friendly Environment

Keep the bedroom cool, dark, and quiet. Use blackout curtains, soft bedding, and remove distractions like phones or bright lights.

When to See a Doctor

If your teen’s insomnia lasts longer than 3 weeks or affects their daily life, school, or mood, it’s important to consult a doctor or sleep specialist. Underlying conditions like anxiety, ADHD, or depression might need professional care.

Lab Tests That May Help

If your teen complains of constant fatigue or disrupted sleep, you might consider lab tests to rule out medical reasons such as:

Thyroid Function Test (for hormonal imbalance)
Vitamin D & B12 Tests (deficiency can affect sleep)
Stress Hormone Panel (Cortisol)
Iron Levels (especially in girls)

These tests are available through diagnostic providers like Thyrocare on platforms like SecondMedic.

Helping Teens Build Healthy Sleep Habits

As a parent, here’s how you can support better sleep:

Encourage open conversations about school pressure or emotional issues.
Set boundaries for screen use, especially at night.
Make the home environment calm and supportive before bedtime.
Lead by example—follow healthy sleep habits yourself.

Quick Tips for Teens

Sleep 8–10 hours every night
Don’t study in bed
Use a sleep diary or app to track sleep patterns
Avoid naps longer than 30 minutes in the day
Try journaling to clear the mind before sleep

Conclusion

Teenage insomnia is more common than many people realize. Fortunately, with the right support, structure, and healthy routines, it can be managed without medication.

If your teen shows signs of poor sleep, don’t ignore it. Better sleep leads to better mood, focus, and health.

So, if you’re wondering how to support better sleep for your child, remember to understand insomnia in teens and how to manage it the natural way—with empathy, good habits, and expert care when needed.

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