Times Of Swaziland: VACCINATE; DON’T VACILLATE

VACCINATE; DON’T VACILLATE
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CHRIS MORGAN  on 07/10/2021 07:54:00


Forgive me, but the more I read (and talk) the more I enjoy the harmless
activity called wordplay. Utse, futsi ngifundza siSwati.
The two words of the title of this article are so close in spelling that an
individual not entirely familiar with the English language might, at first
glance, think they are the same. They are, in fact, entirely different in
meaning but could easily appear together in the context of COVID-19. Because to
vacillate is to hesitate; and as we approach the end of the second year of this
invasion by a ruthless enemy, it’s evident that many people are vacillating
about vaccinating.
Let’s be absolutely clear; the COVID-19 vaccines are safe, and all steps are
already taken to ensure their safety and effectiveness. They were developed
using science that has been around for decades, and went through all the
required stages of clinical trials of extensive testing and monitoring. It
doesn’t mean a vaccinated person won’t catch COVID-19 but it’ll stop you
getting seriously ill unless you are suffering concurrently with another serious
disease.
Vaccination does not give rise to immunity from the virus, but it provides very
strong protection. Physical safeguards breed emotional security. You laugh
longer and sleep better when you’ve been vaccinated, provided you don’t
allow yourself to listen to ignorant superstitions. And if you contract the
virus then it minimises your state of infection. You pass on a weaker version of
the same virus; that means also protecting the people around you. Is that not
very important? Of course it is.
Government needs to be screaming about the merits of vaccination and applying
appropriate pressure; such as starting the process of digitalising the
vaccination certificates already issued in the country. The suggestion of a
digital vaccination passport being required for admission to certain day-to-day
activities might get a lot more people serious about being vaccinated.
South Africa is on the cusp of doing so and perhaps just waiting for the latest
UK decision on its ‘Red List’. Such a release will be highly beneficial for
South Africa and Eswatini residents, not least because at present, unless you
have a UK passport you can’t even get into the UK. A favourable decision by
the UK on access and quarantine requirements will almost certainly be linked to
vaccination status.
Mobilised
In Eswatini we had a surge of attendance for vaccinations in the past two weeks
but now somewhat erratic; despite government having mobilised many vaccination
centres round the country. Our national infection figures, and especially the
number of deaths, have dropped encouragingly. Well, it’s because we’re at
the end of the so-called third wave which, more correctly, should be recognised
not as part of an inevitable cycle within an existing version of the coronavirus
but as the global intrusion of the Delta variant. So, is there any chance of
another variant creeping in from somewhere? Contemporary wisdom believes that
the most fertile area for that is a large bloc of unvaccinated population; and
there’s a few of those. Another very good reason to accelerate vaccinations;
and it’s a global responsibility to do so.
One of the most convincing justifications for an intensive vaccination campaign
is seen in the UK. Of the entire population, 16 years and over, 82 per cent have
been fully vaccinated. In Eswatini the number vaccinated is 19 per cent of the
total population. Statistics that are not directly comparable – we should
display the 16 years and over figure which could be 40-50 per cent and would
ignore the extent (unknown) of natural immunity.
Infection
Stadiums in UK are packed with people and not a mask in sight; and not offending
any regulations. Pro-rata with population size, the UK infection rate is way
above ours. Not surprising is it? But their death and hospital admission rates
related to COVID-19 are now low. Normality returns; because of the vaccination
programme. Here in Eswatini normality eludes us. You even see drivers alone in
their vehicles with masks on. Well, maybe they just enjoy that; it’s a free
world. But seriously, wider-spread vaccination is the answer.
The section of the population in the UK that is not vaccinated is largely the
youngsters. And highly respected studies in Australia, China, Switzerland and
France – not exclusive, merely examples – have shown only a tiny rate of
transmission of the virus from children to adults. The data proves that children
are not significant drivers of the virus. In those countries children are back
in school. We should, ourselves, be getting back to full attendance in schools
with a vaccination programme to match; let’s stop the educational rot. It’s
not going to precipitate a fourth wave.  Only some careless, heavily populated
country giving birth to a new variant of the virus will do that. And that’s
out of our control.