500,000 Sharks Might Be Needed to Create COVID-19 Vaccine

The race to develop a COVID-19 vaccine may mean that sharks will be in high demand. Shark liver contains a rare oil called squalene, which makes the vaccine more potent, and more than 500,000 sharks may have to be hunted and captured to supply the world with a coronavirus vaccine. Shark advocates like Stefanie Brendl are concerned about the long term effects. “We have to remember that there will be many other vaccines and this will go on potentially for decades and it will add up,” Brendl said.