As the Indian government’s Covid vaccination drive notches up impressive numbers all over the country, there is also an accompanying chorus of voices that is questioning the efficacy of the vaccine.
One of the principal concerns seems to be that the Covid vaccine was developed within a year since the first outbreak of the virus. Given the considerable lengths of time that development of previous vaccines like Polio, Measles etc. took, the CovidVaccine has been developed in record time.
Many have mistakenly assumed that this development is driven more by commercial considerations, giving short shrift to standard testing protocols. They forget that technology has taken such immense strides in the last 10 years, allowing institutions to collaborate across borders like never before in the history of mankind. Besides, the scale of the Covid contagion was immense, spreading across the world within days, leaving international agencies and governments with no option but to pool their resources and fight back.
Science, technology and governments have worked together to develop the vaccine, and it is unthinkable that they would cut corners and take chances withpublic health. Let us have faith in mankind and avail of the vaccine as and when we become eligible for it. While doing so, let us follow all safety protocols and manage any individual cases of side effects or complications, without setting off any undue panic.
Rotary India’s Covid Task Force is committed to supporting the government’s efforts through all possible means to ensure that all Indians can walk free of Covid, and return to lead lives of productivity and harmony.
Ashok Mahajan
Chairman, Rotary India‘s Covid Task Force