➡️News/Updates - India
➡️Different Vaccines, Different Mechanisms
➡️Time-frame and Roll-out
➡️What To Expect?
➡️Got Vaccinated. What now?
➡️Adverse Reactions???
➡️Countering Misinformation
> @pfizer has applied for Emergency Approval in India.
> @BharatBiotech COVAXIN - Phase 3 trials.
> @ZydusUniverse ZyCoV-D - Expected to start Phase 3 trials in Dec/Jan
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➡️Different Vaccines, Different Mechanisms
Here's a look at how the major vaccines work -
> Pfizer and Moderna - mRNA
> Oxford/AstraZeneca - Chimpanzee Adenoviral vector
> Bharat Biotech - Inactivated Vaccine
> Zydus Cadila - Plasmid DNA
This is a small article from @ReutersGraphics that explains the basic mechanisms of the vaccines under development with the help of graphics. Very easy to understand animations.
From Approval to Roll-out - it usually takes around 1-2 years for mass production and distribution.
With the accelerated development, this process has been shortened to 3-6 months for faster dissemination of the vaccines.
8/n
PM @narendramodi said that COVID vaccines may be ready in the next few weeks.
While that is good news, effectively, it'll still take 2-3 months before Vaccine Administration can begin as vaccine manufacture and supply chain logistics are worked out.
Most of the vaccines have a 2-dose regimen, 3-4 weeks apart.
Day 0 - First dose
Day 28 - Second dose
Both doses are necessary for complete immunization. A single dose will not impart protection against COVID-19.
12/n
➡️Got Vaccinated. What now?
>FOLLOW MASKING AND SOCIAL DISTANCING.
Why?
>Vaccination doesn't mean immediate protection - it takes 2-3 weeks after the 2nd dose for immunity to develop.
>From Day 0 to Day 60 - you can still get infected - hence precautions are a must.
13/n
Vaccination will give you personal protection. But it doesn't mean the virus has stopped causing infections in others.
Until a majority of the population gets vaccinated, the basic precautionary measures must be followed - irrespective of whether you got vaccinated or not.
14/n
➡️Adverse Reactions???
>It is common for vaccines to cause minor side effects like-
*Fever
*Headache
*Rash at the injection site
*Weakness/Fatigue
It is not a cause for concern - these side effects usually resolve in a few days.
15/n
As of yet, none of the vaccine manufacturers have published a complete Vaccine Information Sheet with dosing info and safety profile - it is expected that more info will follow as vaccines are granted regulatory approval and the Phase 3 clinical trial results are published.
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➡️Countering Misinformation
>Vaccines WILL NOT cause COVID infection - none of the vaccine candidates contain the live virus capable of causing an infection.
>The vaccines will not alter your DNA - the vaccines don't interact with your DNA or cause any changes to it.
17/n
>Conspiracy theorists/anti-vaxxers may attempt to spread misinformation - trust info only from official/verified sources.
>Vaccines are in the final phases of development and might be available in 2-3 months.
>Vaccines are safe - with few expected minor side effects.
>Vaccines will protect you from COVID infection - but only after a window period of 2-3 weeks after the 2nd dose.
Some background: Many LMIC member nations, including India, South Africa, are bidding the @wto to waive certain Patent Protections on the @pfizer and @moderna_tx vaccines so that they can manufacture the generic versions of the vaccines on their own for wider distribution.
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"It’s not clear developing countries even have the ability to manufacture large-scale, complex technologies like Moderna’s mRNA vaccine or Eli Lilly’s monoclonal antibody cocktail—let alone distribute them."
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I'll attempt to keep it as simple and concise as possible.
A) Precautions
B) Testing
C) Vaccines
D) ?? Herd Immunity ??
E) ❌ MISINFORMATION/MYTHS/CONSPIRACIES ❌
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A) PRECAUTIONS
The second wave of COVID is here, as states have started entering into lockdowns once more. Adequate precautions are the only way to protect yourself from infection.
➡️MASKS - Any mask will do as long as it covers both your MOUTH and NOSE.
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➡️DISTANCING - Maintain a minimum distance of 2 metres from each other. Avoid unnecessary contact.
With rapidly rising cases, basic preventive measures like Masking and Distancing are as important as Breathing, Eating, Drinking, and Sleeping.
India is seeing this triad of somewhat contradictory symptoms, and that too, ironically, in the same set of people.
I will call this the EMU triad.
Exaggeration.
Misinformation.
Understatement.
/1
EXAGGERATION.
Initially we did see an exaggerated response. There was a certain amount of fear and panic (which has absolutely disappeared now).
But even now, there's still an exaggerated reaction. The paralyzing social stigma surrounding the infection.
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There have been a multitude of reports from all over India. Reports of isolation, harassment and discrimination towards an individual or a family that tested positive for COVID.
It's nothing but a sign of the society becoming hopelessly apathetic towards human suffering.
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