- The last two years have taught the countrymen abundantly clear that we cannot tend to let down our guard or relax when the Covid-19 Omicron subvariants are perpetually emerging. It must be mentioned that the Indian government has handled the Covid scenario quite admirably despite initial hiccups resulting in several challenging situations. One of the biggest measures initiated at keeping the virus at bay after the devastating second wave has been the widespread vaccination drive. It is worthy to acknowledge that the efforts have reached out to a majority of the population. Apprehensions about variants emerging from the widely prevalent Omicron subvariant cannot be negated though.
PC: Medical Dialog
- No wonder, the scientific and medical experts were always predicting yet another wave, the fourth wave, striking the country in the month of June. The sudden surge of Covid infections in Maharashtra and Kerala in the past few days has woken up the government authorities from their relaxed demeanor and slumber. As reported, over 1,000 cases are being logged and the positivity rate in Mumbai touching 8% last week is no less than an alarming sign that should jolt the authorities out of their complacency. Since April marks have not been mandatory in the state, and that was an extremely unwise move.
- Yes, we all understand the necessity and imperativeness of living with the virus as the economy cannot take yet another bout of lockdowns or even restrictions. Nonetheless, even when enforcement may or may not be stringent, this effectively sent a signal downrating Covid’s public health threat potential, even as more variants were being detected. Forced to act, state ministers are revising their position on masks. Another grave concern is emerging in the form of Maharashtra’s slowing vaccination drive where a staggering 1.7 crore people who got their first doses are yet to get their second doses.
PC: Salil Ahuja
- With an average of 35,000-second doses administered daily in the state in the past week, it will take at least 500 days to fully vaccinate these 1.7 crore people. Such a slow pace defeats the purpose of vaccination, where full dosing and boosting must be done in the prescribed period to ensure optimal efficacy. Remember, officials were going door to door to root out vaccine hesitancy and motivate people when vaccination was a high political priority last year. The same strategy must be embraced again by states like Maharashtra, Bihar, UP, and Tamil Nadu with a higher proportion of partially vaccinated people.
- Dishearteningly, around 15 crore doses are lying unused because of the country’s 12 crore cohort of partially vaccinated citizens. Yes, the precaution dose program also needs a boost too as over 15 crore adults are eligible nationally, but just 15 lakhs in the 45-59 age group have been jabbed. Intensive disease surveillance to counter Omicron subvariants is imperative as experts still don’t know what to expect in the months ahead. Remember, a potential fourth Covid wave is an economically frightening prospect. Mind you, too many MSMEs are already teetering on the edge, shocks from the Ukraine war and China’s lockdowns via inflation and supply bottlenecks will continue for a while. Thus, wearing masks and ramping up vaccination drives should be speeded up. Anymore laxity will be disastrous.
