Vaccine communication - The path to healthy India!

With Europe and America facing the second wave of coronavirus pandemic, India embarked on the world's largest vaccination drive. As India rolled out this massive drive, there is hope that we will stop the pandemic. As PM Narendra Modi launched the world's largest vaccination drive on January 16, he had asserted that such kind of large-scale vaccination campaign was never witnessed before across the globe. And in no time, it was understood that India recorded the highest number of vaccinations on Day one itself which was much higher than many other countries such as the USA, the UK, and France.

 

 

Unlike many developed countries that are dealing with shortages of the COVID-19 vaccine, PM Modi's Atmanirbhar Bharat has ensured that two of the vaccines approved by the regulator are being produced in India. The Serum Institute of India, which is the world’s largest producer of vaccines, has enhanced its capacity to produce 1 billion doses of the "Covishield" vaccine. Apart from it, there is Bharat Biotech’s vaccine - Covaxin.

 

Having said that, there are "few" people who are misguiding people for running their own agenda to scare away people. Here is quick question and answer that will help you know about the vaccines and why it is necessary.

 

 

The fact that COVID-19 can have serious, life-threatening complications is known by everyone. Till now, more than there have been 92 million cases registered and more than 2 million deaths due to COVID by now. This itself is enough to explain why the COVID-19 vaccination. Vaccines are important for the prevention of COVID19 infection as well as for the prevention of the long-term health risks of COVID19 infection. Though the masks and social distancing is essential to curb the pandemic, vaccines will work with your immune system so it will be ready to fight the virus if you are exposed. This, in turn, will result in India mitigating the pandemic in a short time.

 

 

First and foremost vaccines will NOT cause infection. And, it is necessary to note that we cannot compare the 98-99% recovery rate with 95% vaccine efficacy as the vaccine reduces chances of mortality from 1% to 0.05%. It vaccines will NOT cause any mutations in someone's body. These misconceptions can stem from lack of correct information/understanding, mistrust, apprehension of side effects, propaganda by anti-vaxxers, etc. But the health ministry has put forth the guidelines to create awareness about the vaccines.

 

 

 

 

This is a list of all the vaccines undergoing development or trials in India as of 28th December 2020.

 

 

As of today, 2 of these vaccines have been approved - COVISHIELD by Serum Institute of India (SII) /AstraZeneca and COVAXIN/ by Bharat Biotech/ICMR.

 

 

The Health Ministry has also laid out a priority list for the 1st phase of vaccinations that includes:

 

1. Healthcare workers

 

 

2. Frontline workers

 

 

 

3. Elderly population >50 yrs of age and those <50 yrs of age with comorbidities.

 

 

 

The government has developed an app/website called Co-WIN. It is an extension of the existing electronic Vaccine Intelligence Network (e-VIN) - made specifically for COVID vaccination. It has 2 modules - Website and App. The app would be available for download in the Google Playstore and Apple app store once released.

 

 

1. Registration of the beneficiary on the Co-WIN app.

2. Verification of photo ID proof at the vaccination site with that uploaded on the app.

3. Vaccination.

4. 30 mins observation

 

 

While Co-WIN has extensive functionalities for the authorities, it has few important uses for the beneficiaries:

 

1. Info about vaccination

2. Self-registration for vaccination

3. Track status of vaccination

4. Report AEFI

 

 

There have many concerns regarding vaccines. One of the largest concerns responsible for Vaccine Hesitancy is the fear/apprehension of Side Effects or Adverse Events Following Immunization (AEFI). Though there will be mild side effects, they are common and expected to occur and they are self-resolving. Speaking about the adverse events like allergic reactions/anaphylaxis are much rare and they do not occur in all recipients.

 

 

AEFI is any unexpected medical occurrence that follows immunization and may not be related to the vaccine or vaccination process. Protocols are in place for reporting, immediate case management at the vaccination session site. Most of the AEFIs reported so far are minor like fever, headache, nausea, etc.

 

It should be noted that the registration on Co-WIN is mandatory. There are "few" people who are encouraging society with misinformation but the government is trying to reach across country. It is educating people with correct, reliable information in order not to get misguided about the vaccines as they are safe with common and mild side effects.

 

The article is based on a Twitter thread.