COVID-19 Vaccine rolls out in Ethiopia, what is to be done next?

 COVID-19 Vaccine rolls out in Ethiopia, what is to be done next?

BY SOLOMON DIBABA

To the surrprise of every one, countries that have had the best medical facilties in the world, the USA, UK, Italy, Germany, Spain, Japan, Russia and a myriad of other countries are already overwhelmed and taken by utterr shock on the rapid proliferation of the virus. Despite their highest level in knowledge in micro-biology and virology, scientists are still limping in jigsaw puzzel to find the mystery in the metaphorphosis of the virus.

At least four types of vacccines like Astra Zenka, Moderna, Sinovac and Sputnik are already in the roll out as inputs for the global battle againest the pandemic. Even then, the number of persons infected with the virus is ever growing.

The Ministry of Health reported that the first batch of more than 2 million doses of vaccines have arrived in Addis Ababa as part of the national vaccination program against the COVID-19 virus. The Ministry added that health professionals and persons above the age of 65 with various diseases will be eligible for vaccination in the first round while vaccination programs for other groups of persons will follow in an outreach program expected to cover more than 30 million of citizens over several years.

This is happening in the midst of unprecedented growth of the number of persons daily infected with the virus and increase in the number of patients requiring intensive care in ICU sections of COVID-19 virus treatment centers.

Despite the fact that the public has been taking the W.H.O protocol for the prevention of the virus more seriously, nowadays the nonchalance in the public is alarmingly resulting in ever growing loss of life.

On the other hand, even at the global level, compounded with the emergence of vaccine nationalism and hoarding of tons of vaccine doses by rich countries, the final outcome of vaccine roll outs in many countries is yet to be assessed.

With the support from W.H.O. organized COVAC program and through their own initiatives, a number of African countries including Ethiopia have started to vaccinate their citizens. It is to be noted that the vaccines of any type are not 100% proved to immunize those who have been vaccinated in two rounds.

Vaccines are rather expensive and the burden of vaccinating their citizens squarely rests upon the governments. This again implies that preventing the spread of the virus through strict adherence to W.H.O. directives is cheaper and more effective both at the national and personal levels.

The spread of the pandemic in in Ethiopia is a reminder of an important task that is to be accomplished in the coming years. The virus continues to change with various generic types in a rapid mitosis which can make prevention much more complicated. It is therefore important to organize a special virus research center that can also serve as a rapid early warning mechanism for future incidents of the proliferation of various types of viruses.

The prevalence of various upper respiratory tract infections across the world, Africa and notably Ethiopia further complicates the battle against the pandemic. In Ethiopia persons living with HIV virus, those under medical treatment for hypertension, diabetes and other diseases like TB are vulnerable to the COVID-19 virus.

Settlement patterns in smaller towns and cities in Ethiopia also set a breeding ground for various types of viruses which crop up due to lack of standard hygiene and sanitation schemes and structures across these urban centers.

Scaling up prevention mechanisms for all types of killer diseases in the country requires approaching prevention by mainstreaming health development programs into the development programs of the country.

For instance, promoting health sensitive settlement programs both in towns, cities and rural areas of the country and improving food security programs targeting micronutrient deficiencies among children and the elderly can help to develop resistance to any upcoming diseases including prototypes of viruses.

On the other hand, vaccination programs that are just rolling out need to be supported with health education programs targeting the vulnerable sections of our society.

Again, as the virus has already spread across the globe, efforts by individual countries or multi-national corporations will not bring about the desires results in combating the virus. As stated on several occasions, international cooperation in financing the vaccines and exchange of new research findings is critical.

As it would take several years before all citizens are vaccinated, Ethiopia needs to scale up enforcing the W.H.O. protocols on the prevention and control of COVID-19 virus in the country. The Ministry of Health has continued to report on galloping number of infections and deaths due to the virus in the advent of acute lack of isolation rooms and modern ventilators that can be used for those who are critically ill.

On the other hand, the nonchalance among the public and private and government institutions in taking precautionary measures need to be addressed as quickly as possible. Here, there is no need for panic and unnecessary frustration but it is very important to simultaneously address opportunistic diseases that can complicate prevention and treatment.

The vaccines are rolling out but they cannot be the only solution to the prevention, control and treatment of COVID-19 virus. Going forward, more remains to be done.

The Ethiopian Herald 27 March 2021