We can assume that virus-based vaccines should prove valuable in combatting COVID-19. In addition to the entire virus particle-associated inactivated or attenuated viral vaccines, the subunit candidates, such as S1 protein and/or the RBD element of SARS-CoV-2, are also valuable targets for vaccine design. Combining subunit vaccines with established or new adjuvants such as alum versus modern adjuvants such as the GSK AS series of adjuvants may represent a faster and safer strategy to move through early clinical development with the caveat that the protective efficacy may not be strong enough. As a result, immunizing the subunit vaccines with proper delivery platforms and immunization strategies to enhance the immune responses should be considered. We expect researchers who are racing against time will bring a new SARS-CoV-2-based vaccine from gene sequence to clinical testing in approximately 16–20 weeks.