Forest experts in Chile´s Casablanca region are growing young Quillay trees, and they hope that their bark could help make a new COVID-19 vaccine.
Indigenous people use Quillay trees to make soap and medicine, and scientists also use the tree to make a vaccine against other diseases. Scientists make a special substance from the bark which helps immunity, and it could be important to a new COVID-19 vaccine. Experts believe that the vaccine will be appropriate for poorer countries.
It is clear that the demand for a new vaccine will grow, and there will not be enough older Quillay trees. Farmers will have to set up larger farms or think of other ways to make the substance which they need for the vaccine.