COVID-19 vaccine….an underrated saviour confronting the pandemic

“Even though technological advances allow us to do certain things more quickly, we still have to rely on social distancing, contact tracing, self-isolation, and other measures,” Dr. Bruce Y. Lee, a professor at the CUNY Graduate School of Public Health & Health Policy.

Vaccines have been the science humanity has often relied-on in the past to conquer diverse pandemics. The world’s first vaccination was performed in 1796 by Dr. Edward Jenner in England. Dr. Edward developed the world’s very first successful smallpox vaccine. We were thinking that we would easily find a solution for the COVID-19 pandemic, but there was a twist in the tale.

A large share of the globe requires to be immune to the virus, to bring this pandemic to an end. Plenty of research teams around the world rose to the challenge and created vaccines that safeguard from SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19.  But, the story is a bit different from a layman’s perspective. There is a buzz around about the physical impacts of the vaccine. Whether it would be effective, will there be any side effects? What will be its overall impact etc? No past reports or previous records are available in the case of the corona.

The legacy of vaccines showcasing their saviour side

In scientific terms, the vaccine is an immuno-biological substance created to produce specific protection against a given disease. It stimulates the production of protective antibodies and other immunity-related mechanisms.

 

How are vaccines developed?

It is a million-dollar question, and most of us would have wanted to know it. Vaccines can be developed from live modified organisms, killed or inactivated organisms, extracted cellular fractions, toxoids, or fractions of these.

Vaccines developed from the live organisms are known as Live attenuated vaccines, and some examples of them are oral polio, measles, and BCG, etc.

The World Health Organization (WHO) lists 27 diseases for which vaccines are available. It seems the list will soon have an alteration with the inclusion of COVID-19. After witnessing the COVID-19 cases surpassing 9.4million in the US, scientists are making all the possible efforts to establish the vaccine and decrease the damage done by the pandemic. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) of the US approved Veklury (the first drug authorized for the treatment of COVID-19) on 22 October. 

Showcasing the distinct side of the COVID-19 vaccines

Vaccines are developed to safeguard people before they get exposed to a virus. Along with that, vaccines also safeguard the community by decreasing the expansion of disease among people. Several potential vaccines are there but still, so many people are in a fuss.

Covaxin from the Bharat Biotech, and Covishield from Serum Institute of India have been approved by the Indian government.

The drive has been started in the nation. Though, people don’t have much information regarding the probable side effects of the vaccines.

According to The Health Ministry, there may be a few mild side effects of the vaccines and some of them are mentioned underneath-

In the case of Covishield-

●    Nausea

●    Chills

●    Pyrexia

●    Fatigue

●    Headache

●    Injection site pain and tenderness etc.

In the case of Covaxin

●    Cold

●    Sweating

●    Vomiting

●    Dizziness

●    Injection site headache and pain

●    Fatigue etc.

The Health Ministry has also stated that the coronavirus vaccination drive is indicated only for 18 years and above under the emergency use authorisation.

Let’s have a look at the social, economical, and environmental impacts of vaccine

India is all set to initiate the world’s largest drive for the COVID-19 vaccination. It will inoculate around 3 crore people on preference. The responses of vaccination are coming from across the nation.

Impact of the vaccine on the economy

According to health economists, the global economic impact of the vaccine will be on the constructive side. The vaccination program of India will also assist in recovering the economy with the situation of children and women expected to improve. The very first COVID-19 vaccine is being offered to healthcare workers.

The International Labour Organization (ILO) has projected that the global economy will recover around the second half of 2021, depending on the rollout of COVID-19 vaccination.

Health economists have shown belief that the vaccination program of India may assist in the economic recovery as the condition of children and women is expected to get better with the health programs starting again after the vaccination of health workers and more number of people joining the workforce.

According to the ILO report, there was a loss of 8.8% global working hours* last year. It declined the global labour earnings by US$ 3.7trillion. But this global scenario will change after the vaccination rollout, and the signs of recovery will be evident by the second half of this year.

Impacts of the vaccine on the environment

From the massive freezers utilised for keeping the vaccines cold to the aeroplanes and trucks needed, to plenty of waste syringe and vials, there will be a big impact on the environment. Though, authorities are doing their best to confront such challenges and deliver us the finest solution for the same.

Using natural refrigerants than synthetic ones could be a sustainable way of heading such processes. Vaccines are frozen at very low temperature (-70 degrees) by using hydrofluorocarbons (HFC) gases. HFC emissions can have a slow yet devastating global warming effect. Though, authorities have stated that the danger of additional HFC pollution due to the deployment of the coronavirus vaccine is trivial to non-existent.

Impact of the vaccine on society

The social impact of the vaccine will remove the fear of the pandemic and assist people to participate and execute their part in the growth and development process. Our heroes behind the shadows…the workers are gradually coming back to acquire their livelihoods. The scenario will become safer after the completion of the vaccination process.

A happy ending to empower an energetic beginning

Apart from the vaccine, we should take care of our priorities and intentions. Always remember that sustainability has no substitute. Yes, we suffered a lot in 2020, but nature has gifted us a whole new year to turn things around with our sustainable shift and inspiring our surroundings to prefer sustainability in their lives.

Nature has its explicit ways of enlightening us. Just look at our daily routine, nature has taught us again the significance of cleanliness, purity, and a balanced lifestyle. This is what sustainability is all about. So, make this year a year of prosperity by embracing sustainable choices.

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*https://www.ilo.org/global/about-the-ilo/newsroom/news/WCMS_766949/lang–en/index.htm