As cases in the State rise and so do deaths due to COVID-19, the vaccine appears to be what could keep the figure of the latter down. Health authorities in Goa have admitted that no person who has received the coronavirus vaccine has died of COVID-19 until now. Even those who have taken only the first dose have survived the virus until now. Simultaneously, Goa Medical College Dean Dr Shivanand Bandekar admitted that the vaccine doesn’t come with a guarantee that a person may not test positive again after taking the vaccine but it does help patients who get infected after receiving the doses.
The statements by the local health experts are borne out by research done by institutes in India and abroad. Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has admitted that a small fraction of those vaccinated with either of the vaccines have tested positive. Giving figures, ICMR said that of 9.3 million persons who were given the one dose of Covaxin, 4,208 tested positive and of the 1.7 million who also received the second dose, 695 tested positive. Where Covishield is concerned, of the 100.3 million who were recipients of the first dose, 17,145 tested positive and of the 15 million who also took the second dose, 5,014 tested positive.
To further corroborate the findings, reports from abroad state that a combination of two studies by the University of Oxford and the Office of National Statistics (ONS), also found that ‘a single jab of the two dose vaccines protected older and more vulnerable people almost as well as younger and healthier individuals’. The reports also stated that in those vaccinated, the largest reduction in odds was seen post the second dose (70-77 per cent). Even a single dose cut the rate of infection by about 65 per cent, but infection has not been ruled out and even after having received the vaccine caution has to be taken to follow the standard operating procedures, including wearing masks in public places and physical distancing at all times.
The conclusion from various studies is that the vaccine does protect against COVID-19 infection, but the new variants that have arisen are now raising concern. It will be sometime before the virus is defeated, until then it could be the vaccine that makes the difference between life and death.
Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant in his address to the State on April 24, assuring yet again that there won’t be a lockdown, reiterated that vaccines have made a difference and exhorted the people to come forward to take it. The bigger question is whether Goa will have sufficient stock of vaccines to meet the demand. Beginning May 1 persons above the age of 18 will be able to receive the vaccine. As of now the government has approved the purchase of 5 lakh doses aiming to ensure that there are sufficient stocks for the vaccination drive. It has also received 1.5 lakh doses of the vaccine. With a population of 15 lakh, this would not suffice for even the first dose.
The same population of 1.5 lakh makes it difficult to imagine as to how the State can have such a high number of cases and deaths. When we look at total numbers, Goa’s total of 72,224 may appear to be not too high, but the State’s per million cases are currently at 48,000, while the country’s cases at this ratio are less than 12,000. The State therefore requires to increase its vaccination drive to include as many of the eligible persons as possible. For that the awareness has to be increased and also sufficient stocks of the vaccines. If Goa is to defeat the coronavirus, right now it has to be via the vaccine.
