Thread by @cspramesh

#SARSCov_2 viral variants / mutants and vaccination seem to be consuming most discussions on #COVID_19 these days. We’ve let incomplete data and general knowledge create misinformation and confusion amongst us all. An explanatory thread...

We’ve heard of the #Delta, the #DeltaPlus & unknown future variants which may be either more transmissible or more lethal than previous ones. This has either created panic, or worse, a sense of futility about both vaccines and precautionary measures to avoid the infection

The chatter about variants and mutants is fascinating, but linking them to the futility of getting over this pandemic is dangerous. An unfortunate line of thought seems to be that if these viruses mutate and vaccines are ineffective against them, why bother getting vaccinated?

This is a dangerous argument. First, let’s understand that with viruses, mutations are the rule rather than the exception - they mutate very very often
Most of the mutations / variants) are not dramatically different from their original avatar, and are hence clinically irrelevant

But what about the clinically important variants or mutations? If they are truly very different from their original viral sequence, how can we ever beat this pandemic just by vaccinating our way through it?

The answer to this question is that, more often than not, these clinically relevant variants are not that different from the original virus against which the vaccines were developed, to be completely immune to them. Effectiveness may vary, but the vaccines are still effective

We now have data from several studies that vaccines continue to be effective against most variants including the delta variant. And let's not waste our breath on percentages, because that's something beyond our control.

But what if the viruses mutate & mutate & mutate to a point that the original vaccines are no longer effective? This is where the race to vaccinate most of the world’s population against the virus’s race to mutate enough to make the vaccine ineffective becomes crucial

We have to vaccinate enough of humankind before the virus mutates to a point where the vaccines are ineffective. High income countries cannot sit pretty that they have vaccinated their population without working to ensure that the rest of the world gets the vaccine as well

If there are sufficient numbers of the world’s population that remains unvaccinated, the likelihood of a variant virus that will ravage through even vaccinated high income countries is real. It is in our collective interests to ensure that the whole world gets vaccinated quickly

The current #VaccineInequity or #VaccineInjustice needs to stop. As a global community, we need to ensure that every African, every South American, every Asian, and yes, even every American and European gets vaccinated. Quickly.

Till we are able to do that, let us continue to take universal precautions – the five W’s – Wear a mask, Watch your distance, Wentilated spaces, Wash your hands, and Waccinate. Stay safe, folks.