How were COVID-19 vaccines developed and approved so quickly? How do we know they are safe?

Question: 

How were COVID-19 vaccines developed and approved so quickly? How do we know they are safe?

Answer: 
The development of COVID-19 vaccines happened quickly for many reasons, including:
 
  • Advances in science and technology.
  • International collaboration among scientists, researchers, health professionals, industry, and governments.
  • Increased dedicated funding.
No clinical trial phases or safety steps were skipped in the development and approval of COVID-19 vaccines and all steps were taken to ensure their safety and effectiveness. 
 
What was different for COVID-19 vaccines was that:
 
  • The three phases of clinical trials overlapped to speed up the process (normally the phases are performed one at a time). 
  • Health Canada used a fast-tracked process that allowed:
    • vaccine manufacturers to submit data as it became available
    • experts to start the review process right away 
Health Canada only approves a vaccine if it is safe, it works, it meets manufacturing standards, and the benefits outweigh the risks.
 
 
 
Date last reviewed: 
Friday, Apr 01, 2022