Hi everyone,
Hope that while reading this, you and your family
are safe and sound during this pandemic situation.
As I am working in the healthcare sector and pharmaceutical
industry (biologics and vaccines) for the past few years and having handled clinical
trials regarding biologics and vaccine myself, I have been coming across lots
of myths/rumors around the vaccines, clinical trials etc. But due to the current pandemic, the myths have taken new turn.
I recently saw in some news channel that when the healthcare workers reached a village to vaccinate them, people ran away (don’t remember the name of the channel or village). It was quite painful to see that they are ready to die with COVID but don’t wanna get vaccinated.
One more incident: This week when I went to buy groceries, I
saw many young educated guys and girls not wearing masks gathering together and
celebrating, having laughs. On the other hand, a vegetable vendor was urging to
people to wear mask and asked them for social distancing. Few people think that
we won’t have COVID because we don’t eat fast-food (yes.. another myth) etc.
I have seen numerous such incidents since the COVID pandemic
started. List is quite large to be captured here.. I am sure you all must have
seen yourselves.
It is at times like these that I feel we have failed. I being in the pharmaceutical industry know that we are working very hard to make and supply the vaccines to community and incidents such as these make me think we have wasted our efforts. The Govt. of India is really trying hard to get our country 100% vaccinated and bring back everything to normal but this can’t be achieved without the support of all of us.
We all can do our best to try and educate people like these the importance of vaccine and drive away fears related to it. COVID will not discriminate between us.. it will affect each gender, each religion each country, each age in a similar manner.