Dont fight to open vaccination for all
Even in LocalCircles I am seeing great work on Covid and vaccine issues but vaccination for all need not be Indias top priority. My view has also been confirmed by leading epidemiology experts like Dr. Chandrakant.
In mid of second wave, a few are arguing for opening COVID-19 vaccination for all adults. That will not be helpful, is digressing & can be damaging as well.
India is in second wave.
New & active Cases are rising & soon, May be on Tuesday, 6 April, country May report highest daily new cases. The focus has to be on immediate measures to tackle the wave.Test, Trace and Treat. That will be the key
COVID-19 vaccine are safe & effective.
However, person will be protected after completion of full schedule of 2 shots+ 2 weeks.
Therefore, benefit of vaccination for those who gets shot will come 6 to 10 weeks from now.
Remember gap of 4 -7 weeks in shots +2 weeks.
And since even currently eligible people will get first shot and then second shot, the benefit of COVID19 vaccines will be only after , let’s say June onwards.
Second wave needs to be tackled now and here.
Vaccines will help in averting or mitigating possible 3rd wave
Thus, focus in vaccination Should be getting High coverage w/eligible beneficiaries.
Opening to new age groups, May give false sense of coverage but those may not be the ones who need the vaccines most.
Let’s not shift goal post just because we are not doing well on numbers..
Opening to wider age group mean health workforce, needed for CoVID19 response as well as for continuity of non-COVID essential health services being diverted.
That will not be response to challenge at hand. We need vaccines, other services all alongside, in a balance.
COVID-19 vaccination, is important and desired but now, those will be more for averting or mitigating next wave.
As we are in midst of second wave, focus on what is needed to tackle this wave.
To tackle this wave:
1. Learn from one year of response.
2. Empower local authorities for decision.
3. Focus on tier 2 & 3 cities ; rural area
4. Expand & revive test, trade and treat
5. Community partnership for adoption of CAB, engage RWA, other associations
6. Monitor
7. Do everything needed to avoid vicious cycle of lock & unlock including avoid weekend lockdowns
8. Hear critical voices & plan for the next six months
9. Tackle vaccine hesitancy.
10. Achieve high coverage for target beneficiaries and then open for more
While we fight the ongoing wave, we need to prepare for next wave, time ahead in July Sept, the flu season in India, when there cud be the next wave. more
In mid of second wave, a few are arguing for opening COVID-19 vaccination for all adults. That will not be helpful, is digressing & can be damaging as well.
India is in second wave.
New & active Cases are rising & soon, May be on Tuesday, 6 April, country May report highest daily new cases. The focus has to be on immediate measures to tackle the wave.Test, Trace and Treat. That will be the key
COVID-19 vaccine are safe & effective.
However, person will be protected after completion of full schedule of 2 shots+ 2 weeks.
Therefore, benefit of vaccination for those who gets shot will come 6 to 10 weeks from now.
Remember gap of 4 -7 weeks in shots +2 weeks.
And since even currently eligible people will get first shot and then second shot, the benefit of COVID19 vaccines will be only after , let’s say June onwards.
Second wave needs to be tackled now and here.
Vaccines will help in averting or mitigating possible 3rd wave
Thus, focus in vaccination Should be getting High coverage w/eligible beneficiaries.
Opening to new age groups, May give false sense of coverage but those may not be the ones who need the vaccines most.
Let’s not shift goal post just because we are not doing well on numbers..
Opening to wider age group mean health workforce, needed for CoVID19 response as well as for continuity of non-COVID essential health services being diverted.
That will not be response to challenge at hand. We need vaccines, other services all alongside, in a balance.
COVID-19 vaccination, is important and desired but now, those will be more for averting or mitigating next wave.
As we are in midst of second wave, focus on what is needed to tackle this wave.
To tackle this wave:
1. Learn from one year of response.
2. Empower local authorities for decision.
3. Focus on tier 2 & 3 cities ; rural area
4. Expand & revive test, trade and treat
5. Community partnership for adoption of CAB, engage RWA, other associations
6. Monitor
7. Do everything needed to avoid vicious cycle of lock & unlock including avoid weekend lockdowns
8. Hear critical voices & plan for the next six months
9. Tackle vaccine hesitancy.
10. Achieve high coverage for target beneficiaries and then open for more
While we fight the ongoing wave, we need to prepare for next wave, time ahead in July Sept, the flu season in India, when there cud be the next wave. more
Viewed by 2214
View all 17 comments Below 17 comments
I fully agree with what has been said by Surya Prakash, Anil Chandhok and Padmanabhan. I would like to tell all that after the first dose of the vaccine, please keep 9 to 10 weeks before the second dose. This proves very useful in the long term and gives greater immunity. more
Apr 05
Such Vaccine is to be innovated. I think Research is on severally more
Apr 05
While vaccinating the adults (above 18 or 25) is one solution, maintaining strictly the Covid-19 is the biggest challenge facing the country. It is very unfortunate that even PM, HM and other ministers and politicians should take the blame for this state of affairs that our country is into now. I have not come across a singly occasion (virtually or otherwise) that these people alert the citizens about the impending dangers of not wearing masks and maintaining physical distancing. The election rallies, roadshows, inaugurations, seminars, etc are going-on unabated. Several ministers and their party followers are seen flouting Covid norms. It is sad to note that only common citizens are fined for violating the Covid guidelines. Unless and until these politicians walk the talk and set an example to the general public by wearing masks and maintaining social distancing at all rallies, roadshows and official functions, the pandemic will never get over. I will appreciate if some senior member of this forum will write to the higher-ups about this issue. Thanks and regards, K Surya Prakash more
Apr 05
Again, shifting the blame!
After 1year +of corona, doesn't everyone know the discipline to be followed?
We still need to be coached? more
After 1year +of corona, doesn't everyone know the discipline to be followed?
We still need to be coached? more
Apr 05
1st jab of covishield effective by 15 to 18 days. 2nd jab efficacy 28-30 days 55% & 6-8 weeks efficacy will be 81%. It is wrong to say that 1jab is in effective. Tx. more
Apr 05
