Viral post questions how COVID-19 vaccines were developed so quickly

Claims that COVID-19 vaccines were rushed or improperly tested have circulated for years, frequently using the lack of vaccines for other diseases as “evidence.” Debunking messaging may emphasize that COVID-19 is caused by a single virus that belongs to a well-researched family of viruses. By contrast, dozens of different viruses cause colds, cancers have hundreds of underlying genetic, environmental, and physiological causes, and HIV is caused by a rapidly mutating retrovirus that can hijack and prevent detection by the immune system. Research advances have produced vaccines against viruses that cause several cancers (HPV and hepatitis B) and pre- and post-exposure treatments that virtually eliminate the risk of HIV transmission.

Fact Checking Source(s): Nebraska Medicine, Johns Hopkins, Very Well Health,  Worldwide Cancer Research