It is widely believe that the pandemic that has affected the word at present has its origins in Wuhan town of Hubei province of China. Since it was found in the end of year 2019, the virus infection was named Covid-19. It engulfed the entire world in 2020 and lockdowns, horrible scenes from hospitals, burial grounds and other places became the norm. Efforts to create vaccines to treat the infection started in right earnest in late 2020 but it was only in the beginning of 2021 that vaccination could start.
In India too, vaccination campaign started last year and by Sunday (January 30), 75 per cent eligible adults had received both doses of the vaccine. In terms of absolute numbers, it was possible as 166 crore vaccines had been administered. That is a major achievement as every day now, more vaccines continue to be given and the numbers are rising. Enhanced vaccination is a bulwark against the disease, and help us open all sectors of economy in a couple of months.
Our schooling system is badly hit by the pandemic with unforeseen disruptions becoming a norm. Online classes are being held and increasingly more and more students are finding that as the only way to continue pursuit of education. However, this cannot go on indefinitely as classrooms where students congregate teach them so much more than formal subjects. It is here that the students learn to share pubic space with fellow students, teachers and others who may be involved to a lesser degree.
It is by going to schools that young ones learn about discipline in life as getting up on time, sticking to schedules, daily, weekly, monthly and annual is all picked up in schools. India’s milestone in its fight against Covid-19 should translate into opening up of all sectors gradually in the days and weeks to come. On Sunday, the announcement regarding 75 per cent of the adult population getting both doses of vaccines was made by Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya.
“With the mantra of ‘Sabka Saath, Sabka Prayas’, India has administered 75 per cent of its adult population with both doses of the Covid vaccine. We are getting stronger in the fight against the pandemic. We have to follow Covid-appropriate behaviour and receive the vaccine as soon as possible,” Mandaviya added in a tweet. Presently, vaccines are being given to age group of 15 to 18 also and some progress has been made in this direction.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi also tweeted about this achievement saying: “Seventy-five per cent of all adults are fully vaccinated. Congratulations to our fellow citizens for this momentous feat. Proud of all those who are making our vaccination drive a success.” A month later, it is likely that 12 to 15 age group will also start getting vaccines. Some scientists are working on preparing oral pills, capsules and nasal doses to combat the virus infection. It seems some of them may succeed and we will have more weapons in our arsenal to take on the virus.
It seems though that the virus is here to stay for some years perhaps, though getting control over it may become easier as the days go by. Right now, we are talking of both doses of vaccines, and boosters. In future, booster doses may become necessary once in a year or six months. That is far, far better than where we were a year ago. Time to thank our scientists as also the government which invested heavily in the vaccination campaign.
