Effective: A heterologous booster injection is preferred, which provides a greater immune response. A fourth dose of the vaccine is not available in India for any age group. —ANI
There is enough epidemiological evidence to say that the current wave of Covid-19 in China is unlikely to cause a fourth wave in India. The threat is not zero, but it is almost negligible. In India, the government held several national and state meetings and mock exercises, which inadvertently fueled rumors about imposing Covid restrictions. In some states and cities, advertising institutions such as hotels and restaurants (mostly alone and in some cases after casual orders from the local administration) imposed the old Covid orders and began asking citizens to wear masks and social distancing.
All this has caused panic and apprehension among citizens. People started asking questions: Should they wear a face mask?Should they get a booster shot?Should they go ahead or cancel a long-planned family circle trip?
First, while the world is in the midst of a pandemic, an increase in any country demands that the governments of other nations control the scenario and be vigilant. High-level meetings and mock trainings in India are part of popular operating procedure and not a cause for concern. The wave in China replaced nothing in India; Government and personal establishments will have to avoid applying the guidelines beyond Covid. In fact, we will have to remember that the scenario in China is the result of its zero-Covid competitive policy, which obviously did not work.
In contexts like India, which has achieved hybrid immunity through infection and herbal vaccination, old approaches, such as mask-wearing mandates, universal or forced physical distancing, or any form of restriction of public activities, have almost no role.
Three years after the first reports of SARS-CoV-2, the reaction will have to be science-driven, evidence-based, modulated beyond learning, and nuanced and context-specific.
What do governments do? The central government will have to constantly monitor the Covid scenario in China and other countries. You will need to conduct awareness-raising and communication campaigns to dispel rumours and misinformation. Central and state governments will develop genomic surveillance of wastewater and review clinical results showing that Covid cases are stumbling with any changes in trends. New daily cases of Covid-19 are not a smart parameter, at this stage, as tests are likely to pile up, so the cases shown would possibly pile up. Hospitalization due to Covid-19 as a trend parameter.
For ordinary citizens, there is nothing to fear. When it comes to wearing a mask, make a private assessment and decision. You can make your planned domestic or foreign vacation without hesitation. However, for outdoor India, a face mask would be a useful companion, in line with the local point of transmission.
All eligible Americans get a precautionary or booster shot as soon as possible. Now that vaccines are available, a heterologous booster shot, which provides a greater immune response, may be preferred. Those who have already gained two number one shots and a precautionary shot don’t want a fourth dose. In fact, most countries in the world do not propose a fourth movement. Regardless of how long it has been since the third vaccine, a fourth dose of the Covid-19 vaccine is not recommended in India for any age. group.
A new Covid-19 nasal vaccine has been granted emergency use authorization in India as a precaution or booster. It would be available from January 2023. Please note that this is only for the third injection or withdrawal. The nasal vaccine is not for the fourth shot.
Children under the age of 12 do not want to be vaccinated against Covid. Only two vaccines are advised for young people aged 12 to 17 years; A third strike or precautionary strike is not mandatory for this age group. Young people had and still have a very low risk of Covid infection. Therefore, physical/offline schools for youth of all age teams continue.
Covid is not gone away and is unlikely to disappear in the long term. However, the threat of moderate to severe infection is as low as can be imagined (with the caution of an unknown probability of occurrence of a new clinically significant variant). Staying fit, getting remedy for any chronic illness, and taking basic preventative fitness measures will protect you from Covid disease.
The ongoing wave of Covid-19 in China, basically driven by the BF. 7 Omicron subvariant, is expected to end in the coming weeks. It is very likely that with the end of the existing wave in China, the world can simply succeed in the final phase of Covid. However, since SARS-CoV-2 would stay with humans for a long time, it is possible that there will only be new waves and peaks of Covid (localized or national) in normal but unpredictable periods in other parts of the world. global.
Therefore, all countries, including India, will need to be prepared for such an eventuality. Instead of panicking every time a wave is reported in some other country, you need a calm, thoughtful, evidence-based technique.
It is time for the Indian government to re-examine the methods used for the Covid reaction over the past 3 years. India wants to expand an evidence-based “COVID-19 endemic response strategy and plan. “
The Tribune has two sister publications, Punjabi Tribune (in Punjabi) and Dainik Tribune (in Hindi).