From what I have read so far, Sars-Cov-2 is rather very slow to mutate compared to other RNA viruses. How one person described it to me, it has pretty strong after-production-control of its key pieces of genetic information. So vaccine, if developed, should catch all circulating strains.
The more pressing problem is short lifespan of antibodies in people. Maybe 20% of pacients (those with mild or no symptoms) dont develop enough antibodies for tests to find them. And in those who develop them, there is marked decrease of them already after 2 months. This virus is here not long enough to have precise observations yet. But based on data so far collected and presumed similariry to SARS, we can expect antibodies after this infection that will last only 1-2 years on average. So vaccine, if developed, will not protect people for long time, definitely not lifelong. We can expect re-vacconation will be neccessary every 12 months or so. That makes herd immunity hard to achieve now when this virus hit the whole world. It would need coordination between all countries.
If that is the case that would be very helpful, and one of the few positives about this virus. Have you perhaps seen any sources on the mutation rate and information control of Sars-CoV-2? I will try to do some research also at some point.
There is a lot we do not yet know about this virus, and immunity and antibodies are one of those. If it turns out to be true that antibodies are only temporarily, this might have to become something like the booster shots necessary for immunity against some other diseases. Re-vaccination might also be a way to catch up with and ensure immunity against new and mutates strains, like with the influenza viruses. I don't know how these things work exactly, but perhaps if a first vaccine against a Sars-CoV-2 has been developed it might be easier to adapt it later on?
Coordination not only between nations but also within nation and the development of population wide, annual or bi-annual vaccination campagnes would likely be required. That is not going to be easy at all, but it likely will have to be done - and at least in developing countries it might happen.
I was actually hoping that this pandemic would really illustrate to the anti-vax movement the inherent stupidity of their bull**** ideology but seeing ample evidence of the backlash online throws all hopes of that out of the window. Totally medieval phenomenon.
Sadly given the number of vaccine-related conspiracy theories and the presence of anti-vaxxers in the idiotic movements protesting the sadly necessary lock-downs I think we will likely be dealing with these idiots a lot more in the coming months and years. I feel these movements should be dealt with more strongly, but it is difficult to do that in societies that rightly value freedom of speech and freedom of the press, even for the worst kinds of idiocy. Probably the best governments will be able to do is to counter their arguments strongly and clearly, with clear arguments, and to very clearly argue in favor of and encourage vaccination. I would prefer not to see mandatory vaccination against Sars-Cov-2 happening, but if it is the only option I will not oppose it either.
Mandatory vaccination might not be possible - but proof of vaccination to access health care, schooling, social services, pensions, permission to travel, access to zoos, museums and sports facilities, bars, clubs etc
etc perhaps - could provide some fairly hefty 'carrots', if the 'stick' was not legal...
I don't think it would be legal to deny essential services like health care, social services or food based on proof of vaccination. And even the denial of non-essential services, schooling, employment, travel or access to leisure on that basis could I think well be legally challenged in (constitutional) courts and might not be held up, even in the face of a pandemic. I'm not hugely in favor of using this kind of "carrot" in a hefty-handed form, and it certainly should not be the first choice.
