In view of the A.Q.I.in the NCT region hovering still around the ‘severe’ (above 400) category for almost five days, due to the wind being rather slow and the minimum temperature further going down, bone chilling experience is not only being felt ,Omicron fears have also widened reach in U.K., France, Germany, Poland, Denmark ,China ( Fresh lock downs ordereded) and the USA.
In India also, states of Maharastra,Delhi ,Haryana, M.P.,U.P, and Rajasthan began imposing night Curfew and fresh curbs to check the rising spike. Mumbai and many towns of Maharastra as also Delhi and Bengaluru might have further added to 350 number of cases by now. It is solely due to violating & flouting of norms becoming order of the day.
Clear Stand of WHO
2) All this is happening when the D.G.of WHO has warned that Vaccine
Inequity must come to an end(to cater to African continent) or else it may lead to prolonging the Pandemic.He went on to add that the existing vaccines continue to provide significant protection against severe disease from Omicorn variant.
He has further indicated that the majority of hospitalizations and casualties were among un-vaccinated ,Not the un-boosted ones.
Morale Booster ?
3) The obvious and unfortunate comment is bound to boost the morale of the poor and politically fragile and shaken nations, many of whom are still deprived of even the first dose ,despite many positive assurances from the UNO and GROUP of nations,such as,G-8, G-20 or could be ASEAN. Unfortunately in Nigeria, millions of doses had to be destroyed due to expiry.
Lust of Companies
4) But it may not fit in the schemes of the giant Vaccine manufacturers ,such as, Pfizer, and Moderna of USA ,supported otherwise in all respects by their “mother” country. Both the Indian ones, Sputnik kind and Chinese vaxins too have come up precisely due to State support.
Connivance Factor
5) According to the revelations in the media, due to well thought of manipulations of conmen,middlemen,hackers and lobbyists,not only funds were arranged on easy terms in advance but the manufacturers went on to determine terms & conditions, influence patent clauses and what not.,such as, getting the title of co-inventor, which may ensure some additional benefits.
Once on a loss making spree,these drug manufacturers as compared to actual Indian “leaders” in the field, swung back to profiteering ,rather huge profit making situation, thanks to the Corona virus,its mutations and recent shift from Delta to Omicron variant. And who knows, what would be actually in store in 2022-23 ?
Latter ,as we now know, is much more stronger and spreading at an unprecedented speed .It is,in addition, more transmissible but chances of hospitalisation too have reduced substantially on the positive side.
Explore Booster Doses & Mint Money
6) Also the point to be flagged is the rising rate of vaccination in most of the developed nations and introduction of Booster doses in some of them is also expected to make a difference.
However, what should actually bother the humanity at large is tremendous or unthinkable profit making tilt or motive of the companies, being generated out of an outright tragic situation.
If reports are to be believed, against the per dose cost of one Dollar ,actual price at present stands at $ 25 to 30 or £20.Such a lust is never ending ,rather bound to be endemic. Forget about defying all expectations.
Inhuman, Beyond Thinking
7) Can we afford it in such an uncertain situation ?
Is it not inhuman, a beyond imagination phenomenon ?
Economic Opportunity should not mean that procurement may be easily facilitated to a rich minority while the majority who may find it difficult to afford and survive, should BE DESTINED TO SUFFER. A pathetic situation, nothing else. Also effective control and regular monitoring thereof, has to be ensured to obviate the possibility of any other outbreak.
Indian Situation
8) We in India, are being talked about to enter a Community Transmission phase in view of rapid ,unfortunate strides,already made by the West Europe ,South Africa and the USA.
Neither, however, there is a need to panic nor the fear or apprehension should be underplayed. A re-assessment of critical gaps in the already fine tuned and upgraded hospital infrastructure and addition of ventilaors and close by oxygen availability, should be very much on the cards.
Vaccine For The Left Outs
9) While doing so,the vital decision to introduce the boosters for the elderly and more needy as also introduction of vaccine for the children & teenagers,on the basis of U.K.’s nod to Pfizer vaccine, also will have to be taken up on priority.
Fresh Steps By Israel
10) It may be close on the heels of an Israeli initiative to offer the fourth dose to the elderly above 60 ,those with compromised immune systems and the health workers.It was a part of the drive to ramp up the shots and outpace the spread of Omicron.
Somewhat Relieving South African News
11) Further, a South African study has just hinted at a reduced rate (80%)of hospitalization among Omicron patients and that for the hospitalized ones,the risk of severe disease was reported to be roughly 30 % lower. These may be ,perhaps due to high population immunity NOW.
While we need to draw lessons from it, one should not forget that the worst of the pandemic had not come to an end.
A Pill At Last?
12) We may wind up on a positive note to indicate that Drug and Food Administration of USA has authorized introduction of a Pfizer Pill, expected to be first At Home Treatment mechanism. It claims to have 90% Efficacy in preventing hospitalizations and deaths of high risk patients.
About the Author : Dr. Aaloc Srivastav, Ex CS , Sikkim is a Senior Retd Bureaucrat and passionate about writing on his favourite subjects . The views shared by the author are his personal.
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