U.S. Drugmaker Merck Enters Vaccine Race With 2 New Partnerships

Merck is joining the race to develop a COVID-19 vaccine, collaborating with nonprofit organizations to create two vaccines. The company aims to leverage its Ebola vaccine technology for one of the COVID-19 vaccines. The US government, led by Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar, aims to produce 300 million vaccine doses by 2021. Experts are focusing on which vaccine projects to fund significantly.

What is Merck's strategy in developing a COVID-19 vaccine?

• Focusing solely on pandemic preparedness

• Collaborating with a nonprofit research organization

• Developing a single vaccine independently

• Using only existing technology without partnerships

Which technology is Merck using for its second COVID-19 vaccine?

• Technology from their polio vaccine

• Newly developed technology

• Technology from their Ebola vaccine

• Technology from their flu vaccine

What is the goal of the US government regarding COVID-19 vaccine availability?

• To make 300 million doses available before 2021

• To make 100 million doses available by 2022

• To make 500 million doses available by 2023

• To make 200 million doses available by 2021

Who mentioned the US government's goal for vaccine availability?

• The President of Merck Research Laboratories

• The Secretary of Defense

• Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar

• The Director of the CDC

What are experts focusing on regarding vaccine projects?

• Which projects to delay

• Which projects to cancel

• Which projects to invest in significantly

• Which projects to avoid