Anti-Vaccine Campaigns; How Dangerous?
Since its origin in 1796, Vaccines are widely opposed by some despite of its great contributions towards eradication of contagious or other deadly diseases.
The smallpox vaccine was the first vaccine to be developed against a contagious disease. In 1796, the British doctor Edward Jenner demonstrated that an infection with the relatively mild cowpox virus conferred immunity against the deadly smallpox virus. Cowpox served as a natural vaccine until the modern smallpox vaccine emerged in the 19th century. The term vaccine derives from the Latin word for cow, reflecting the origins of smallpox vaccination.
Amongst the vaccine haters, there were literates, illiterates and even some medical practitioners. The reasons for the oppose are sometimes religious or lack of sterilized procedures, otherwise pure business or political. However, modern education has provided notable contribution in changing the mentality of common man favorable to Vaccines.
But, in this modern era too, there are some people who thinks that Vaccine is nothing but business. Agreeing the fact that there are some business in the Vaccine production like any other medicine in the world, denial of the same would be dangerous not only to the individual, but also to the society.
WHO quotes a recent study from the Indian State of Kerala (most literate state in India which is close to 100%) reported by Indian Medical Association (IMA) who are their counter partner in the Country. In one of the district, some people started a campaign against routine Vaccines for kids in the name of religious and traditional reasons. As a result, in the year of 2019, around 50 diphtheria cases were reported (first after some 30 years) among many were passed away. The district and state medical authorities had taken strict action against this and some of the “hate speakers” were put behind the bars.
In this very critical hour of Covid-19 spread also, there are some people who think against Vaccines. Dr. Stephen Karanja who was the chairman of Kenya Catholic Doctors Association, was the strongest face of those haters in Kenya. He advocated steam inhalation and hydroxychloroquine tablets and preached against the safety of Covid Jabs which in turn was rejected by the WHO. “[The vaccine] being distributed in Kenya, has been reviewed and found safe not only by the WHO rigorous process but also by several stringent regulatory authorities,” the WHO said in March.
Now, a very sad news has come out that Dr. Karanja has passed away due to Covid-19.
Kenya, just like other African developing countries, has received just over a million vaccine doses from the global Covax initiative, most of which have been administered. The country has confirmed more than 160,000 cases and 2,707 deaths. In March, the government imposed another lockdown restricting movement in five counties after a surge in new infections. They were planning to have dosages from India where the worst wave is hitting (around 400,000 cases and 4,000 deaths per day) which is very unlikely considering the present situations.
Meanwhile, Kenya is having some dosages of Sputnik Vaccines, but were ordered to re-export, which is believed to be due to some political games. Hope the Authorities will open their eyes soon and take appropriate and wise decisions rather than carried away with political egos.
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