An apt quote by Joshua Lederberg, “THE SINGLE BIGGEST THREAT TO MAN’S CONTINUED DOMINANCE ON THE PLANET IS THE VIRUS.”
The year 2021 has truly started on an optimistic note. Our Indian government has approved two vaccines for the dreaded Coronavirus, the virus that threatened the whole world.
“ONLY ONE FORM OF CONTAGION TRAVELS FASTER THAN A VIRUS. AND THAT’S FEAR. “Dan Brown
To allay fear, to instill confidence and faith in the general public, in India too, the political top brass, well-known personalities, and the media influencers should take these newly approved vaccines publically.
Just the way US president Joe Biden, Dr.Fauci, and other Heads of States have taken Pfizer and Moderna vaccines!
Friends, today VACCINES are a reality, and the fun starts now!
SOME VACCINE FACTS:
COVAXINE, our totally indigenous, made in India vaccine has been developed by The Bharat biotech in collaboration with ICMR.
Results of final, third stage trials are still awaited, hence, how effective it will be (efficacy rate) is not known yet.
It has been prepared from “INACTIVATED VIRUS” which means the injected virus cannot multiply in the person who gets this vaccine but prepares him to fight the virus by generating antibodies. So it is very very SAFE, 110% safe as per The Drug Controller General of India.
What more can we ask for?
The second vaccine COVISHEILD is being used in the UK and other countries, it has been developed by Oxford University scientists in collaboration with the British-Swedish pharma company AstraZeneca. Our Pune-based, Serum Institute of India conducted its trials in India.
It gives 70% efficacy, which can go up to 90% if the 2nd dose is taken after a gap of two to three months. Very encouraging!
This one has been prepared from a virus that causes cold infections in Chimpanzees called “Adenovirus”, which is genetically very similar to the COVID-19 virus.
This too is a SAFE vaccine.
Both Covaxine and Covishield can be safely stored at normal refrigerator temperatures, both are slated to be reasonably priced, though our Indian Government is committed to give it for FREE.
THE DILEMMA:
In this scenario friends, we are faced with THREE options…
1)Believe the data, have faith in Science and, go for whichever of the two is offered. BE BRAVE!
2)Follow the wait n watch approach, after the health professionals, frontline workers and the elderly get it, and when the reports are good, go for it. BE CAUTIOUS!
3)Just stick to the line, “I will not take it, come what may”. Actually, wait for the herd immunity to set in when 70% or more population gets vaccination. BE A COWARD!
WHAT OPTION WILL YOU EXERCISE???
I believe the facts & figures given by our scientists,
I trust Science,
I will go for option one,
Renuka.