With the pandemic still not subsided and Delta plus variant continues to be a cause of concern, experts alert that vaccination is the only weapon we have at hand. A group of doctors informed that immediate vaccination will help in herd immunity, reducing the chances of black fungus, severe health complications, side effects, blood clots, and secondary infections.
The doctors also stressed that if one lower the safety protocols, then the third wave is imminent and will likely begin in August and peak in November. The views were expressed in a panel discussion on the topic ‘Covid-19: Lessons Learnt and Planning Forward’, organised by Neuberg Diagnostics.
Professor and Padma Shri awardee Dr. Mohan Kameswaran, Otorhinolaryngologist, Founder, Madras ENT Research Foundation, said, “We witnessed the first case of mucormycosis (black fungus – severe and rare fungal infection) in March, the cases peaked from two to three from March to 10 to 15 cases in May, with a mortality rate of 40 percent to 50 percent. Although high, it is not as high as anticipated. The major issue is the lack of relevant drugs to treat mucormycosis. In Tamil Nadu area, the spread of mucormycosis became epidemic within pandemic.”
“Antibodies produced by the vaccine protect against Covid, complications, side-effects, blood clotting, secondary infections; hence one must get vaccinated,” said Dr. Hemalata Arora, General Physician & Infectious Disease Specialist, Nanavati Max Super Speciality Hospital.
She added, “Studies are being done on using mRNA vaccines for booster doses rather than taking the same DNA vaccines we took the first and second time. Mixing might be more appropriate, though there may be some side effects. More India-based studies are required on this.”