Mask, physical distance, vaccine most effective against virus: AIIMS Director
Vishakhapatanam: Director at All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) Dr Randeep Guleria has said that vaccines should not be wasted in the name of booster doses. A large number of unvaccinated people, including youth must be given at least one dose on a priority basis to protect the country from a third Covid-19 wave. Some cities like Delhi have had a number of waves, so it is not a matter of second or third waves, anymore.
The eminent expert in pulmonary medicine advised that social distancing and wearing masks along with vaccines are still the most potent measures to contain the spread of the pandemic. Herd immunity does not control pandemics like Covid, he added.
In a tete-a-tete with Deccan Chronicle on the sidelines of the 41st Foundation Day celebrations of GITAM Deemed-to-be-University here on Saturday, Dr. Guleria said the governments must take aggressive measures like mini-lockdowns, tracking, testing, and blocking the area soon after they notice an increase in positive cases. The governments should be vigilant and continue with testing on a daily basis and cover the maximum suspected people to get a real ground-level picture of the pandemic spread.
Trials are underway for three to four vaccines on children. The Pfizer vaccine was approved for children in the US, and would be available in the country soon, he said.
“The state government is doing well in Covid-management. It must ensure that all people are vaccinated,” Dr. Guleria advised.
The rise in urbanisation, loss of animal habitats particularly cohabitation with humans are key factors for pandemics. Around 60 candidate vaccines are for human trials and over 180 in preclinical trials, he said while adding that AIIMS received 100 of 178 proposals on Covid-related research.
Meanwhile, Dr. Guleria WAS presented a cash prize of `10 lakh along with the Gitam Foundation award for 2021.
Guleria presented a certificate of appreciation to Covid warriors of the hospital, which treated nearly 4000 Covid patients from March 2020.
GITAM president M.Sribharat presided over the programme.
On the other hand, the Visakhapatnam chapter of the Public Relations Society of India (PRSI) felicitated Dr. Guleria. PLK Murthy and NV Narasimham were present on the occasion.
ON TRACK
- AP government is doing a good job.
- Vaccine, mask, and physical distance best bets to halt the spread of coronavirus.
- Herd immunity doesn’t control the pandemic.
- Vaccines for children will be available in India soon.
- Booster doses can be administered in 2022, not now.
- 60 candidate vaccines are in human trials and 180 in preclinical trials.
