At present, India is experiencing one of the fastest spreading second-waves of coronavirus in the world. More than 3,00,000 cases and 1000 deaths are being reported, daily.
While the government had been carrying out the vaccination process, albeit in a limited way to deter the deadly virus from getting to the senior citizens and people with high-risk diseases, the second wave of this virus happening at the same time is not helping at all.
India had played a pioneer role in manufacturing and distributing the vaccine to countries across the world at the same time. This led to a serious shortage in the supply of vaccines for its own citizens- for which the government has been heavily criticised.
Currently, India is executing the vaccination with two varieties of vaccines:
COVISHIELD has been developed by the University of Oxford in partnership with AstraZeneca and manufactured by the Serum Institute of India (SII) in Pune.
COVAXIN has been developed by Bharat Biotech in partnership with the National Institute of Virology and the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR)
Another entrant in the list of approved vaccines for usage is SPUTNIK V, which is the Russian variant and is being manufactured in Dr Reddy's Laboratories in collaboration with the Gamaleya Research Institute.
Let us discuss the efficacy of these vaccines:
COVISHIELD - Going by the 3rd phase trials conducted in December, 2020 the efficacy rate is around 70%. But if the two doses are administered after six to eight weeks, its efficacy can go upto 90%.
COVAXIN - This vaccine is found to be 80% effective. It has also been proved to work against the new UK variant of the virus. Administration of both the doses should be at least 28 days apart.
SPUTNIK V - This vaccine has shown an efficacy rate of 91%, making it the third most effective vaccine at this stage.
Not entirely the utopian vaccines everyone expected them to be, there have been cases of mild side effects after taking the first dose of any of these vaccines, although the frequency of such incidents are relatively miniscule.
The SII manufacturing company has shown data of the conducted trials as well. In today’s date of usage, only 1 out of 10 people face difficulties like pain, swelling, or redness where the shot was injected. Other side effects like mild fever, chills, tiredness, headaches and muscle and joint aches have also been observed.
Only a few incidents of serious side effects have been reported in India; if one million people are vaccinated, only 1-2 people may have a severe allergic reaction. Those with high-risk diseases such as high blood pressure or diabetes and cancer should consult their doctors before getting vaccinated.
The distribution of vaccination is something that needs to be discussed. In the very first phase of vaccination, only people working as frontline workers against Covid were given the vaccination. Currently, any person above the age of 45 is eligible to get vaccinated. In India, the government has control over the distribution of the vaccines. As of now, all the public sector hospitals, clinics and medical centres or colleges are vaccinating people, free of cost. Some of the private hospitals and clinics have also been authorised to give the vaccines, but they can charge a sum of 250 to 1000 rupees.
Registering for the vaccine can be done through the app CoWin, which can help find the nearest location to one where vaccines are available and take an appointment. Registering via online means is not mandatory.
A REMINDER: The antibodies develop after two weeks of taking the final dose, so it is advised to keep wearing masks and to maintain social-distance from those around oneself. Only thus, can the spreading of the virus be put to a stop.
Recently, it has been observed that a few people afflicted with Covid-19, need oxygen support i.e., oxygenation. Most patients with Covid-19 are affected with an infection in their respiratory tracts which could lead to shortness of breath, which in turn could lead to Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS). The devices for administering oxygen in moderate diseases are nasal prongs and masks. The protocol also recommends awake proning (lying on one’s stomach) as a therapy to increase oxygenation.
Furthemore, the Prime Minister, on this Monday, assured that the government is vaccinating the citizens of India at an incredible pace and will continue to do so with even greater momentum. And hence, Phase 3 of the vaccination process has been announced, which aims to vaccinate everyone above the age of eighteen, from the first of May, 2021. However, in a move which has rightly been severely criticised, the government tweaked its policy by surrendering 50% of the vaccines available in the open market, including procurement by States and Public hospitals. Experts fear this might lead to a skyrocketing of vaccine prices, and helps the government escape being held accountable by imposing the responsibility upon the states.
World health experts, scientists and doctors have been working throughout the last year to deliver the vaccine to all of us so that we can go back to the time before the ‘new normal’ began. But getting vaccinated and spreading awareness about the dos and don'ts among the under-privileged and marginalised remains a challenge. Faced with such a devastating reality, we need to realise that wearing masks and getting vaccinated can save lots of lives. It is a request to all those reading this to make sure to follow the necessary precautions and encourage those around you to do the same.
(cover image courtesy: businesstoday.in)
Comentarios