Corona Pandemic has once again brought to the forefront the importance of vaccines and vaccinations in society. Vaccines are arguably one of the most important and effective tools to prevent disease and support the health of the community. The pandemic has made governments realize the fact that public health is a public good. Different countries run various immunization programs targeting newborn and small children to boost their immunity and to prevent them from various diseases in the coming years of childhood. Ever since the implementation of immunizations programs, there has been a dramatic decline in the prevalence of diseases such as smallpox, tetanus, diphtheria, and measles across the world. And this all happened as a result of great vaccination policies.
Why is vaccination important?
Lives saving
Most Vaccines are recommended at very early ages because the immune systems are not developed fully and so vulnerabilities to many diseases are always high. Simply put, it can save your life. They are effective for a lifetime.
Prevent serious diseases
Many serious diseases like Polio can lead to deformities in the child. These deformities can easily be prevented if they get vaccinated at the right age at the right time.
Protection of others and future generation
Vaccinations have social and generational value. It protects you, others, and future generations. There is a possibility of eradication of several diseases of today in the future.
Boost Immune System
Vaccines contain an antigen that is a weakened or dead part of the virus or organism or pathogen responsible for the disease, to make our immune system learn about the nature of the pathogen and to build immunity and avoid disease. This exposure to our body makes them able to create a strong immunity against the attack of the virus without surrendering to the disease.
You can search for vaccine slot availability on the ‘Vaccine Slot Finder’ on the OneDios app. It allows you to have a streamlined and uncomplicated experience while searching for your vaccine slot. You have to simply enter your Pincode to get the relevant information about slot availability. OneDios COVID 19 Vaccine Slot Finder empowers you to efficiently check available vaccine slots in your area by making the process easygoing, painless, and reliable.
You can also track vaccine-related statistics on the “Vaccination Dashboard” available on the OneDios app. The data for the dashboard is sourced from official Co-Win Statistics. Through this dashboard, you can stay informed about the number of sites conducting vaccination and total vaccination doses in real-time. Relevant data and trends are present in user-friendly graphs, categories, and visual formats for greater access. You can also check updated data by selecting your state or district to know about specific statistics
SARS-Cov-2 or the novel CoronaVirus has taken the whole world by storm. Since it is a new virus, the scientific community and researchers worked lamp to post to develop the vaccine against the virus to fight the pandemic and enable a return to “normalcy”. After more than a year into the pandemic, there are multiple vaccines available in the market. Although it is still not proved that a vaccine would surely protect against the infection, the Doctors and Scientists claim that it considerably reduces the severity of the disease.
There have been concerning reports of reduced effectiveness of the vaccine against the new variants and mutants.
There are the following points to consider to understand how Covid Vaccine would work.
1.How does a Vaccine work?
A vaccine teaches your immune system to identify and resist the virus, once it enters the body. A vaccine mimics the functioning of spike protein in the virus to train your body cells to fight any possible attack. As your body fights the virus, it develops “memory T-cells” that retain the memory of this infection for the next time.
Thus, it prevents further multiplication of viruses and protects you from further spread to the lungs. Just as your body remembers what it experienced through the disease and builds up an immunity, a fully vaccinated person’s body performs in the same manner.
2. How long does it take for your body to develop antibodies once you get the COVID vaccine shot?
Once you get vaccinated, it takes a few days for your body to build up an immune response through antibodies. It is still important to keep using other tools like masks and social distancing to protect yourself from the infection. During this time your body reads the genetic material of the virus which is available in form of instruction manuals and it takes time for the body to complete this process. According to ICMR guidelines, it would take at least two weeks after the second dose to achieve full protection against the infection. This is how long it takes for your body to develop resistance against any future invasion by the virus.
3. Do you still need to wear a mask, after vaccination?
The discourse around Pandemic spread is as much about protecting others as it is about oneself. The efficacy trials of various COVID vaccines have shown their potential to protect against severe symptoms from occurring. But there is still a possibility that the person might still contract the infection and pass it on to family or friends. This means that even after getting both the jabs of vaccine, you might unintentionally spread it to someone who hasn’t been vaccinated so far or doesn’t have access to it. And the virus, as its nature dictates, is constantly mutating which threatens the credibility of a vaccine. Studies are still underway to find out whether available vaccines work against the emerging mutant or not.
So, don’t forget to double mask while stepping out of the home and be a responsible citizen.
4. Are COVID vaccines the only way out of this pandemic?
Soumya Swaminathan, WHO chief scientist while commenting on the current Pandemic situation has said, “Though there is light at the end of the tunnel road ahead is still dark and long.”
This light of vaccines is the only ray of hope to pull the world out of dormancy. Vaccines should be made available to each individual of the population because unless everyone is safe nobody is safe. The authorities are taking steps to ramp up vaccine production for equitable distribution
Until then, WHO has advised people to follow strict hand hygiene and double masking. It is said that there is a very low likelihood of virus spreading in open areas, but crowded areas need to be avoided to protect oneself.
If you are finding it difficult to book your vaccine slot, please use ‘OneDios Vaccine Slot Finder’ on the app. The new tool launched on the OneDios app allows you to have a streamlined
and uncomplicated experience while searching for your vaccine slot. You have to simply enter your Pin Code to get the relevant information about slot availability. You can also search by entering the names of the hospitals in your area. It will show you the real-time availability of Vaccine slots in the area. The details of vaccine slot availability are classified into 18+ and 45+ categories for your hassle-free experience. OneDios COVID-19 Vaccine Slot Finder empowers you to efficiently check available vaccine slots in your area.
As the world still struggles to recover from life-threatening COVID-19 disease, the medical community has red-flagged another deadly infection called Mucormycosis or Black fungus. There are reports of recovering COVID-19 patients contracting Black fungus infection. Fungi is a pathogen that you might have observed in rotting fruits or food. Fungi constitute an important part of biodiversity on earth. Some fungal species even aid plants to absorb nutrients from the soil. One of the most path-breaking discoveries in the history of mankind is Penicillin, an antibiotic that is also obtained from fungus only. Fungi is present everywhere in our environment. But, a few types of fungi can severely infect human beings. The rising number of Black fungus infection cases throughout India is concerning. Let’s first learn a few basics about this infection.
What is Black Fungus Infection?
Black Fungus infection is neither a new disease nor contagious, it is an aggressive infection caused by a group of fungi called ‘mucormycetes’. The CDC has recognized this infection as a rare but deadly disease. It can adversely impact many organs in the human body. In the recent cases of the infection, it is distinctly causing infection in the ear, mouth, nose, and even brain. According to reports, it can cause blindness and jaw damage, which turns black due to the Black Fungus. It can also be very harmful and even fatal if left untreated.
What are the symptoms?
Many doctors and experts have listed out a few symptoms to watch out for the Black Fungus infection. They include blood discharge from the nose, stuffy nose, blackish discharge from the nose, swelling or pain in jaws, eyelid drooping, and eyes turning reddish. Antifungal drugs are the best line of treatment for this infection.
What causes the Black fungus infection?
Co-morbidity of Diabetes or underlying immunodeficiency is called the most common cause of Black fungus infection. According to an estimate, underlying diabetes was reported in 54% to 76% of the cases. The most immediate trigger is the overuse of steroids as a treatment for COVID-19. Indiscriminate use of steroidal medicines in COVID-19 patients having diabetes can cause their sugar levels to rise. Dr. V. Mohan, senior diabetologist, has called steroids a “double-edged sword” that needs to be administered judiciously. When the sugar levels of a diabetic COVID-19 patient suddenly spike, it makes them vulnerable to this infection. The Indian Council for Medical Research has issued an advisory listing the following conditions in COVID-19 patients as more susceptible to Black Fungus infection:
Unmanaged Diabetes Mellitus
Compromised immune system due to overdose of steroids
Elongated ICU or hospital stay
Post organ transplant or cancer
Voriconazole therapy (rigorous treatment for severe fungal infection)
How to prevent Black Fungus?
Listen to the Experts!
Union Minister Dr. Harsh Vardhan has said that “Awareness and early diagnosis can help curb the spread of fungal infection.”
AIIMS director Dr. Guleria noted that black fungus infection cases are rising due to overuse of steroids. He also urged the doctors and patients to follow protocols of infection control practices. He has listed down following precautions to avoid the infection:
Manage sugar levels for diabetic patients.
Use masks consistently, especially when visiting a construction site.
Avoid misuse of high-dose steroids.
Practice personal hygiene.
Early detection and prompt treatment.
As the great saying goes, “Prevention is better than cure”, lookout for early signs and take precautions to avoid contracting COVID-19. If you experience any COVID-19 related symptoms, get tested as soon as possible.
COVID-19 has ravaged throughout the world like a wildfire, delegating us to an uncomfortable standstill. Governments around the globe have framed their COVID-19 response policies as per their specific national requirements and limitations. Since the novel Coronavirus is a new virus, policymakers had to face impediments in fighting this invisible enemy. The challenge of the once-in-a-century event faced by the United Kingdom has been no exception. But, in the retrospect, UK’s handling of coronavirus appears to have fared well, when compared to other countries and the EU. In a recent survey by Ipsos MORI, 67% or two-thirds of respondents believed that UK’s handling COVID-19 crisis was better than other EU countries.
Death rates in the UK have plummeted to single-digit numbers and daily positive cases have also shown a persistent downward trend. Despite the earlier spread of virulent UK variant B.1.1.7, the country is set to ease lockdown restrictions under a four-step plan. Britons will now be able to meet indoors and enjoy the services of pubs, restaurants, and cafes once again. The UK model shows the light of hope and positivity during grim circumstances that other countries are still facing.
Let’s have a look at few key measures that UK took to battle its COVID-19 crisis:
Operation Last Gasp
Operation Last Gasp was a war-style effort to mobilise manufacturing companies to produce more ventilators. The national effort was rolled out last year to tackle the immediate increasing demand for the health system. As the COVID-19 virus affects the lungs, a need was felt to deploy more ventilators. This initiative was meant to ramp up preparations to protect vulnerable individuals, who might need intensive care.
Oxford Vaccine development
According to an estimate, $96.7m of funding for research and development of the Oxford-Astrazeneca vaccine came from the UK government and the rest of the funding was from charitable trusts, private donations, and other governments. The development of ChAdox vaccine technology was supported by cooperative efforts of government and accomplished researchers at Oxford. This vaccine was developed in a record short time of just eleven months. However, research towards this breakthrough took years of consistent time and effort by scientists and epidemiologists.
Vaccine policy
The government of the UK realised early on the paramount importance of Vaccination to protect the citizens and get the economy back on track. British authorities ordered millions of doses of vaccine vials from multiple companies. They employed a graded approach in the vaccine policy. The more vulnerable and high-risk population was vaccinated first, taking into account the heavy death toll experienced during the first wave. The success of the bold Vaccine policy is the reason the UK is now able to recover from long and intermittent lockdown restrictions.
Track and Trace
Over the time, UK was able to scale the track and trace system. Contact tracing was an efficient way to track infected people and their close contacts during the initial months of the Pandemic. It is utilised to prolong the spread of COVID-19 infection, in order to provide the health system a breathing space and ramp up the infrastructure accordingly. The UK also used the NHS contact tracing app to trace the suspected infected individuals and isolate them.
Policymaking
The UK government ran an awareness campaign with the slogan “Stay alert, control the virus, save lives”. This raised awareness among the public to not let their guards down and influence behavioral aspects to break the chain of the COVID-19 virus. The concept of ‘supportbubbles’ was also carried out to help people who had been isolated due to the lockdowns. A ‘support bubble’ consists of two households that are allowed to interact and ease out Pandemic fatigue through these engagements.
Transparency and accountability
The Prime Minister of the UK, Boris Johnson, has announced a public inquiry to investigate the government’s COVID-19 response and mitigation. The Commission will launch the inquiry next year during the spring. Such transparent steps by a government raise public confidence and allow holding the authorities accountable for their actions. During the handling of the COVID-19 crisis, Prime Minister Boris Johnson also made a public statement saying “sorry for every life lost” and took “full responsibility”. A government in-action that keeps the public informed is essential in combating an immense crisis, as posed by the COVID-19 pandemic
The optimism in the UK exhibits an assurance that the world can soon emerge out of the pandemic and learn to manage it better. Efforts in India to grapple with the second wave have also accelerated. The vaccination strategy has been modified to allow the 18-45 years age group to get vaccinated. Multiple Vaccine manufacturers are being approved to increase the manufacturing capacity. One of the vaccine manufacturers, Bharat Biotech, has also agreed to share vaccine formula to ramp up the production as soon as possible. It is the responsibility of individual citizens to remain cautious with best behavioral practices and get vaccinated as soon as a slot is available.
Onedios COVID-19 Vaccine Slot Finder helps you navigate through the vaccine slot availability in your area so that you can book your appointment without delay. Another feature of Vaccination Dashboard on the Onedios app enables you to stay informed of current trends and statistics about reliable data in a user-friendly format. It informs you about the data regarding the number of sites conducting vaccination, total registrations, and total vaccination doses in real-time.
