Given rising Covid cases, authorities need to revive immunization campaigns and urge people to shake off vaccine hesitancy
Published Date – Sat 3/25/23 at 12:20pm
Given rising Covid cases, authorities need to revive immunization campaigns and urge people to shake off vaccine hesitancy
Hyderabad: The resurgence of Covid-19 cases in several states suggests that the pandemic is not yet a thing of the past in the country. While this situation calls for careful, adequate screening and genome sequencing to track down new variants of the virus, there is no need to panic. Given the surge in daily case numbers – 1,300, the highest in more than four months – the Federal Department of Health and Family Welfare has asked all states and Commonwealth territories to secure supplies of flu and Covid medicines. The latest rise in cases comes as the country grapples with cases of the H3N2 flu affecting children and the elderly. Symptoms include high fever, prolonged cough and weakness. The states of Gujarat, Karnataka and Maharashtra account for a significant portion of the daily case load. The World Health Organization (WHO) has been warning that the epidemic is not going away and that new, more vigorous variants could emerge at any time. The Covid surveillance regime needs to continue with the same enthusiasm. Early warnings, when cases are just rising, help local agencies take steps to prevent further spread. Whole-genome based surveillance can also help maintain vigilance. People should be encouraged to wear masks and maintain physical distance in public places. However, there is no reason to panic, as experts say the surge in new cases is not the harbinger of a new wave. Mortality and hospitalizations did not increase significantly. Such assurances should be sufficient to preclude any drastic measures to restrict the movement of people or impose a lockdown.
The key takeaway from the Covid-19 restrictions imposed over the past three years is that they have only delayed the inevitable. The 2020 lockdown proved disastrous for the Indian economy, leaving millions out of work. The country experienced a devastating Covid wave in April-May 2021, but the situation has since been brought under control thanks to the country’s commendable vaccination program. The damage done by China’s zero-coronavirus policy, which had to be rolled back after nationwide protests, gave India another reason not to make any self-defeating moves. The current surge is attributed to the Omicron XBB sub-variant. A recent US study showed that vaccines and boosters are effective against these highly infectious strains. The fivefold strategy – Test-Trace-Treat-Vaccinate-Covid-Appropriate Behavior – should continue to be taken seriously as it has proven successful. One area of concern is boost dose coverage, which has been below par. Authorities need to revive immunization campaigns and urge people to shake off vaccine hesitancy. For countries like India, new variants and hospitalizations need to be tracked, vaccine companies are incentivized to develop and update vaccines and drugs, and citizens are persuaded to get vaccinated and boosted.
