One sure way of allaying fears, myths and controversies surrounding these COVID-19 vaccines is by judging them with facts and figures.
The introduction of the vaccine is to teach our immune system how to fight against coronavirus by producing certain blood proteins called antibodies and cells called memory B cells if a person contracts the disease just like it is done in the army for new recruits through series of training and drills in anticipation of an impending war.
The approved vaccines to Ghana are Astrazeneca and Sputnik V. So far, 52 countries have approved the Astrazeneca vaccine and 28 countries for that of Sputnik V before Ghana approved procured these vaccines. This outrightly trashes out the notion being propagated, that Ghana is being used as the “lab guinea pig”. Taking a cue from the countries that started using it before Ghana, it is safe and effective to be used.
AstraZeneca and Sputnik V are both given in 2 separate shots with 12 and 3 weeks apart respectively. Survivors, victims of COVID-19 and non-victims are all supposed to avail themselves when the need arises.
Another false assertion making waves is that the vaccine will cause COVID-19 after a jab and you will test positive after shot. The vaccine is a viral extract that has the potent property to stimulate our immune system to produce specific arsenals to fight any impending coronavirus infection and subsequent Corona Virus Disease-19 (COVID-19) as well as possible post-COVID complications. Sputnik V vaccine is a part of the shell of coronavirus coating it (spike protein)- just a portion of the whole structure while Astrazeneka is a weakened and impotent version of the virus that causes common cold (adenovirus) carrying the genetic material for SARS-COV-2 spike protein just like Sputnik V.
Since these are extracts and not the entire viral structure, it is unlikely to cause a full-blown COVID-19 to make you sick. Think about it; President Nana Akuffo Addo and the minister of health Kweku Agyeman Manu together with other Heads of states like President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris will not want to take the vaccine in the full glare of the public if the vaccine will cause the disease, COVID-19.
Secondly, the Food And Drugs Authority, a World Health Organization maturity 3 level regulatory body will not approve these vaccines if they have the propensity to cause disease. The rationale behind vaccination is to prevent severe disease needing oxygen therapy, reduce hospital admissions, reduce the incidence of post-COVID complications like the feared erectile dysfunction and reduce community spread.
It is estimated by WHO that the vaccine reduces transmission by 63.09%. By the end of the vaccination scheme slated to start by March 2021 to October 2021, a fortified immunity wall called herd immunity will be achieved such that members of the community with already existing diseases like AIDS that reduces their natural ability to fight infections and others who genuinely cannot be vaccinated like pregnant women and people below 18yrs, will be protected by those who will be privileged to have the vaccine. This is because the number of infections will be reduced thereby reducing the chances of coming into contact with a COVID-19 infected person.
Every vaccine has documented vaccination reactions. Few recipients of the vaccine may have mild reactions like pain, skin redness, swelling, increased warmth at the site of injection. These signs only reaffirm that your immune system is working properly, although the absence of these does not negate the former. In exceptional and almost negligible cases, recipients come down under severe allergic reactions evidenced by fever, generalized skin rash and wheezing. Due to some of these unforeseen circumstances, before vaccine administration, trained vaccinators will ask of any known allergic disorder or any allergic reaction to any vaccine or food like an egg in the past.
Also, contact lines of these vaccinators will be given to recipients after the exercise to call when adverse reaction ensues. Health facilities have been trained to treat these rarities.
Over the years, vaccination has been a dependable resort to end diseases caused by infection ravaging a group of people at a time. A notable example is the smallpox vaccine developed by Edward Jenner in 1796 which ended a series of smallpox outbreaks. In Ghana, since 1987, deadly diseases like the unforgettable six childhood killer disease(eg. Poliomyelitis and measles) have gradually become a thing of the past, almost extinct now after the introduction of vaccines.
The World health organization(WHO) estimates that some 800,000 children lives are saved each year because of the vaccination of neonates and infants. Up until today, 18 million people have been protected from polio associated paralysis and are majestically walking. This is how phenomenal vaccines are, in breaking the transmission of viral infectious diseases like COVID-19.
The vaccine is safe to be taken by anyone without the exceptions listed above. Selected persons and COVID hot zones of the country will take the vaccines first. Greater Accra metro, Greater Kumasi metro, Obuasi, Awutu Senya west and east will be initial recipients together with priority persons like health workers, frontline executives, legislature and judiciary and related staff, people with documented underlying conditions eg. (Diabetes, hypertensives, and sickle cell etc), essential workers and teachers and other key personalities.
Lucidly, the logic backing vaccination is to reduce community spread and hospital admissions, prevent severe disease needing oxygen therapy, reduce the incidence of post COVID complications like the feared erectile dysfunction that overwhelms our overburdened healthcare system.
The vaccination exercise is in no way coming to take away the already known existing safety preventive protocols against COVID-19 but to be an add-on. Therefore let’s continue these protocols before and after the vaccination jab.
In conclusion, the COVID-19 vaccination exercise is for our very own good. With a collective and collaborative effort, we will win this war.
THIS TOO SHALL PASS.
MICHAEL BAAH BINEY
Final Year Medical Student -UDS
mikebiney77@gmail.com
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Michael Baah Biney is an advocate for healthy practices. His goal is to aid in the advocacy of preventing diseases before complications arise. In his bid to champion healthy living, Michael has volunteered with UNFPA, PPAG among others to share knowledge and mentor young people. He is currently a final year medical student of the University for Development Studies, Tamale and a member of Curious Minds Ghana.
