In a well-organized vaccine rollout campaign that began in late 2020, the UAE is one of the top few countries to fast-track the immunization campaign against the Sars COV-2 virus causing COVID-19. As per the UAE Ministry of Health and Prevention, The UAE has already administered 13.8 million vaccines as of 13th June, 2021, in a mere six to seven months’ timeline and, it appears that over 65 per cent of people have received both doses.
Severe cases have declined, and we might be closer to the goal of achieving herd immunity. For the uninitiated, let me simplify the vaccination process as many people have doubts about the efficacy of vaccinations.
How do vaccines work?
Vaccination or immunization is a process by which a weak or inactivated virus strain, the purified protein present in the virus or the tiniest and diluted viral organism, is introduced in the body, training the immune system to produce anti-bodies and enhancing the person’s immunity.
In modern times, scientists have created new vaccines called the Messenger Ribo Nucleic Acid (mRNA), which teach our cells to make a protein or even a protein that triggers an immune response in the body with exposure to the virus, according to the Centre for Disease Control.
A historical perspective
The English physician and scientist Dr. Edward Jenner made the earliest successful vaccine in 1796 to combat the deadly smallpox pandemic, using live sores from cowpox when he noticed that milkmaids had contracted cowpox did not get smallpox.
Perhaps the most successful illustration of eradicating a deadly virus is smallpox using a comprehensive vaccination programme. Since then, we have had many epidemics, measles, mumps, Rubella, Ebola, Influenza, Malaria, HIV and many more; in majority of these illnesses, vaccines had a significant role in containing the disease. This is to point out the anti-vaccine lobby that might be delaying the achievement of herd immunity in the country.
COVID -19 vaccines in record time
It took decades to develop vaccines earlier; however, thanks to modern genome sequencing techniques, recombinant genetic engineering & efficacious modern laboratories, scientists accelerated the vaccine creation for COIVID-19. Today, we have at least seven kinds of vaccines in the market being bulk-produced and transported in a strict cold chain systemglobally.
So much so, the UAE Health Authorities have even setup the region’s first facility in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi to produce the Hayat-Vax – an indigenous vaccine manufactured by a newly created joint venture between Abu Dhabi’s G42 and Sinopharm.
Why are vaccines our best bet in the fight against viruses?
Talk to any infectious disease expert; they will tell you vaccines are the only answer to arrest the proliferation of a deadly viral disease like COVID-19. Even if the virus mutates or new variants emerge, a vaccinated person with two vaccine doses is less likely to be severely affected by the disease, say, scientists. So, it is in everyone’s interest to take the vaccine.
Why kids need to be vaccinated?
As confirmed by the UAE Ministry of Health, the Health Authorities in the country havealso began vaccinating children aged 12 to 15 years; and more recently, trials for children aged 3 years to 12 years are also underway in the country using the SinoPharm vaccine.
While there is less evidence of children falling sick with COVID-19, it is necessary to get them vaccinated so that even a tiny category who do fall ill can be protected. Besides, children exposed to the virus may not be affected themselves but could be asymptomatic carriers.
Go for the booster
As we complete six to eight months of vaccine shots, many people have become eligible for booster shots. While there is insufficient evidence on people needing boosters for COVID-19, it is advisable to take the booster dose, going by the world’s experience with influenza. Caused by an organism in the coronavirus family, we need influenza boosters every year, which has had a successful impact.
As the science on COVID-19 unfolds, it is in our interest to get the booster, especially since the virus is naturally mutating and developing new variants. A booster dose of vaccine ensures prolonged and enriched immunity against the virus and even to the variants to a certain extent.
How long before we eradicate COVID-19?
The jury is out on this as no one can answer this, and this is the most significant modern-day medical challenge that the world faces. Research on every variant is underway. Unless 60-70 per cent of the world population gets vaccinated,
we cannot say anything with certainty. That is why vaccination is one’s duty.
No one is safe till everyone is safe.
