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Karan Dev
@Karan.Dev · 1:23
Dispelling myths about the COVID-19 vaccine: in conversation with Dr. Naveen Thacker
Hey, Swell, this is Karan Dave on The Changemakers Cast. India is going through a turbulent period, as is widely known, and the focus of the whole country at this juncture is the ongoing vaccination drive, which is said to be rolled out to all ages from the month of May. Joining me to discuss this and much more on The Changemaker's Webcast today is Dr. Naveen Thacker, who is currently the executive director of the International Pediatric Association
Karan Dev
@Karan.Dev · 0:43
Dr. Thacker, the second phase of the vaccination against COVID-19 is well underway in India, but there is still some hesitation among people to take the vaccine by now. We've all heard the rumors about the vaccines. They have side effects. They affect fertility, lead to blood clots and so on and so forth. While many of these questions are propelled by social media forwards, there are also a few that convey genuine concerns
What we see used to be recruited previously and these vaccines have been done keeping in mind safety as a paramount. But we must understand that there is nothing like 100% safe. Crossing the road is not 100% safe. Going in an aeroplane or car is not 100% safe. So there are always some of the rarest of rare side effects which can be observed when the vaccines are rolled out and in real life situation in millions of people
Karan Dev
@Karan.Dev · 0:18
Thank you for clarifying the safety aspects of taking the vaccines. Doctor. There are also concerns that the vaccines currently being given are not as effective against the new virus strains and mutations. I was wondering if if you thought there was any merit to these concerns
So the concerns are genuine. But what we know at this point of time, we have two vaccines in India, Cob sealed and coveted vaccine and some more vaccines are being introduced. So we have now data from India itself, and even many people from us like Dr. Force has also said that CoVaccine is effective against the UK variant. It is also effective against some of the new variants
Karan Dev
@Karan.Dev · 0:10
And Dr. Generally. How long does the protection of the vaccine last? Have there been any studies done on post Vaccination efficacy
Thank you, Karan. That's a good question. So what we know now from the say, US and other countries where they started vaccine trial early and then they also rolled out vaccine that these vaccines are at least now we can say protective for seven months or so. But it is possible that and we will know as we go along that it may protect for a year or more if we don't have to give booster for any new variant so that we can know only in due course of time
Karan Dev
@Karan.Dev · 0:22
Thank you for that, Doctor. And I want to shift this to the communication aspects of the vaccination drive with attacker. You've participated in public service announcements in India in relation to the COVID-19 vaccine and you were vaccinated very early on. How have you been spreading the word about the vaccine and its safety
And that's when COVID came and we knew that these new vaccines are coming, though it was not meant for the children at present, but still we thought we are the pediatrician are the best people to convey how vaccine works and how wonderful things. It is very good to the last intervention and the final intervention in which we're will help us in getting rid of this pandemic
Karan Dev
@Karan.Dev · 0:40
Dr, I think it's remarkable how you're leading by example by in taking the vaccine at a time like this, India now needs to vaccinate at an unprecedented scale to defeat the pandemic doctor. And the scale of of vaccinations required presents an administrative challenge. But do you feel India's experience and success in running extensive mass vaccination programs like the Universal Immunization Program or the Paul's Polio? Can all of these experiments and experiences come in handy while dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic
And if we have that in place, addressing, having an honest and transparent communication, addressing their concerns, genuinely, we will definitely be successful because everything else is in place, from logistics to say, everything that India has capacity, it to do one corroded daily vaccination. And we must utilize that
Karan Dev
@Karan.Dev · 0:46
So stress and anxiety could be the universal health scare, which we might be dealing with. What are your thoughts on the trauma of the pandemic and the need to acknowledge, address it
Very correctly, said Karan. It is a really tough time. And particularly with the second wave where the virus is causing havoc and everybody is really living in a state of fear. And as you correctly said, this has to be first acknowledged that yes, this causes a lot of mental trauma. And it is also predicted that these things will affect even life after five to ten years. And we have seen that. So as you said, first, we have to acknowledge it
Karan Dev
@Karan.Dev · 0:23
Dr. Thacker, I want to thank you for your time this morning and clarifying all the doubts about the vaccination process and also going into great detail regarding the technicalities. I hope we get through this difficult period together and you you know, I really enjoyed our conversation, doctor, I look forward to speaking with you on Swell Soon and thank you so much for your time again. You're