From battling the most tumultuous second wave of Coronavirus to driving the world’s largest vaccination program, India’s journey in tackling Covid-19 has been exceptional. Today, India has achieved a milestone by inoculating 100 crores of its population. Adding to this, Mumbai for the first time has recently recorded no Covid-related deaths. This is truly a moment of pride as we can now be certain that we can tackle Covid-19 in a better way and save more lives. If we continue following protocols and actions to save more lives, we will be able to achieve the goal of zero deaths due to Covid in India.
India has already provided more than one billion vaccinations covering around 1/7th of the population. So about 70% of the eligible population has received at least one dose, and nearly 25 % have received both the doses. With the introduction of vaccines for children, this program will take a new leap. The progress made so far is thus, commendable. It takes 5-10yrs to test and develop vaccines, but India researched and developed an in-house vaccine, ensuring that all necessary arrangements such as complex manufacturing, the humongous logistics involving setting up cold chains, airport transfers, vaccines to states, local storage, and last-mile connectivity were set up in no time. Moreover, India devised an excellent strategy to encourage pharma companies to produce vaccines within the country. This coupled with the efforts put by healthcare providers, media, and health activists in spreading awareness and reiterating time & again the significance of vaccination in saving lives, has been huge.
Enhancing the vaccination process is the right step in curbing the spread of the virus, as well as saving as many lives as possible. Mumbai is a case in point. After a concerted effort made by the government, local bodies, private hospitals, doctors, nurses, paramedics, and the public at large for the last 18 months, the city saw a day with zero deaths. This is how the nation needs to work against the infection. However, one needs to note that Mumbai’s achievement is a result of multiple factors put together, and among these, vaccination is the key. Around 50% of Mumbai’s population has been fully vaccination and more than 90% have received the first dose. Maharashtra’s vaccination drive across districts has brought the state closer to the 10Cr mark; that too, at record breaking speed.
For any infectious disease, the first line of action is to save lives and prevent the spread. That’s what Mumbai did. From being a highly impacted region, to becoming a city with zero deaths, our actions delivered.
However, staying cautious is critical, as it is yet too early to declare victory over the virus. At present, we are better equipped to confront any new challenge. People should however, not lower their guards and continue following Covid-19 protocols. Even after vaccination continue to mask up and follow Covid-19 protocol. Get vaccination and encourage others to do so. Only then can we together someday win the war against Covid-19. It’s not too long before we’d be vaccinating another 10Cr nationals, setting golden examples for the world to follow.
The writer is Director-Critical Care, Fortis Hospitals Mumbai & Member of the honorable Supreme Court appointed National Covid-19 Task Force.