Putting COVID-19 Vaccines to the Test

COVID-19 took the world by storm in 2019/20, but the story of SARS-CoV-2—the virus that causes COVID-19—begins decades ago. Scientists who studied the SARS and MERS epidemics in the early 2000s knew it was just a matter of time before a novel coronavirus would become a global health threat. What followed was the fastest vaccine development in history. This teaching case features researchers from Johns Hopkins University, the Vaccine Research Center at the National Institutes of Health, and the American Museum of Natural History, who will explain the science behind SARS-CoV-2, the development of the mRNA COVID-19 vaccines, and the long-standing health inequities that the pandemic shone a light on. 

These curriculum materials include four videos and three text passages featuring researchers with expertise in viruses, infectious diseases, and public health, along with the data from the phase three clinical trial that led to the mRNA Moderna vaccine. These materials are divided into two sections. You can:

How to use these materials

This teaching case uses readings, videos, and data analysis to tell the story of how an mRNA vaccine for COVID-19 was tested for safety and efficacy and the impact of public health measures on viral spread. Students analyze data and make conclusions about some of the same questions that the scientists consider, including how to design a clinical trial.

Here’s a suggested progression through the materials:

Part 1: How Do You Prepare for a Pandemic of a Virus That Doesn’t Exist Yet?

• Watch the video and read the essay to introduce the basic information about what viruses are, how some are dangerous, and to meet the scientists.
• Have students use the Stop and Think questions at the end of the essay to brainstorm how they might design a clinical trial and institute public health measures if a novel coronavirus were to emerge.

Part 2: How Do You Develop a Vaccine for a Novel Disease in Less Than a Year?

• Watch the video and read the essay to find out how mRNA vaccines work and how they were developed and tested.
• Have students use the Stop and Think questions to demonstrate that they understand how mRNA vaccines were developed and to use their new understanding to revise their clinical trial design.
• Use the worksheet and interactive graphs  to analyze data from the Moderna mRNA vaccine trial.

Part 3: How Do We Know the Vaccine Is Safe and Effective?

• Watch the video and read the essay to learn about the trial results.
• Have students use the Stop and Think questions to examine safety data and consider the importance of diversity in clinical trials. 
• Use the worksheet and interactive graphs  to analyze data from the Moderna mRNA vaccine trial.

Part 4: What Is the Future of Pandemics and Vaccines? 

• Watch the video to learn how scientists are thinking about the future of vaccines and pandemics.