- The year 2020 was subsumed completely with talks about the vagaries of the novel coronavirus leaving behind a trail of destruction all around shattering the established economies, ravaging the not-so-well established economies, and destroying the wannabe economies. Towards the latter quarter of the year, hope finally appeared to be dawning with the news of many an effective vaccine candidates lining up for necessary approvals that would go a long way in shielding the weary people with much-needed inoculations.
PC: Fahmida Khatun
- As the battered government’s across the globe approve Emergency User Approvals, the vaccines will be hitting the headlines in the New Year 2021 presumably consuming the majority of attention it so desires in resurrecting the hopes of all concerned. Indian citizens too will be delighted to hear about the Oxford University-AstraZeneca version of the vaccine named Covishield manufactured by the Serum Institute of India (SII), Pune, Maharashtra has been recommended for conditional emergency usage by the government-appointed Subject Expert Committee. Three cheers to that!
- As you are aware, the Coishield was approved recently in the United Kingdom. Now, the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) will have to green-flag the vaccine for emergency usage, which is a mere formality. Make no mistake, this is nothing short of a defining moment for the country looking eagerly to move on from the debilitating effects of the virus. As such, news about the vaccination would surely lift the spirits of the countrymen who can now look forward with optimism to receiving desired protection from the contagion in the coming days.
PC: Fabrice Coffrini
- It is understood the Covishield’s claim of 60-70% effectiveness exceeds the threshold of at least 50% efficacy set by various regulatory agencies including the World Health Organization (WHO), DCGI, and Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) for a widely deployed vaccine to prevent infection or disease. With the invention of the vaccine behind us and the approvals fast-tracked, the focus should now shift to executing the critical task of vaccine rollout in a meticulously planned manner.
- Since our experience in undertaking the monumental Universal Immunisation Programme (UIM) has gained global recognition, there is no reason to feel apprehensive in carrying out the vaccination rollout in an admiringly efficient way. In this regard, the Union Health Ministry has lined-up dry runs across the country, akin to conducting Lok Sabha elections as mentioned by the Health Minister himself, to iron out possible glitches that may be encountered subsequently before rolling out the vaccination program for the general public.
PC: Joanne C. Sullivan
- The conditional approval suggests there is some way to traverse before receiving regular use authorization as Phase 3 clinical trials are still underway. In the interim, the onus squarely rests on the authorities concerned to ensure elaborate arrangements are in place vis-à-vis cold chain infrastructure, storage, administration, monitoring, and attending to adverse events reported after receiving the vaccine. Till the jabs are received, it is imperative all of us strictly adhere to the safety and health protocols diligently.
