Posted On: 2021-02-08 11:34:04
100 years ago, influenza (flu) pandemic (Spanish flu) cleared the globe, infecting an approximated one-third of the world’s population and eliminating at least 50 million people. The pandemic related deaths were greater than the cumulative number of military and civilian deaths from World War I, which was occurring simultaneously. At the time, experts had not yet identified flu viruses, but we know today that the 1918 pandemic was caused by an influenza A (H1N1) virus. The pandemic is commonly assumed to have transpired in three waves.
More than 12,000 Americans died through the H1N1 (or “swine flu”) pandemic that began from 2009 to 2010. The novel coronavirus pandemic of 2020 is expanding around the world as countries race to find a cure for COVID-19 and citizens isolated themselves from the crowded places to avoid spreading the infection since many carriers are asymptomatic for days before realizing they are affected.
As the COVID-19 outbreak advances to grow, comparisons have signified to influenza. Both aggravate the respiratory disease, yet there are significant differences between the two viruses and how they grew. This has important indications for public health measures that can be completed to respond to each virus. Firstly, COVID-19 and influenza viruses have similar symptoms. That is, they both influence respiratory condition, which manifests as a broad range of sickness from asymptomatic or mild through to severe disease, also death. Secondly, both viruses are spread by contact, touch, droplets and fomites. As a result, the same public health measures, such as hand hygiene and healthy respiratory etiquette (coughing into your elbow or a tissue and immediately disposing of the tissue), are important actions all can take to limit infection.
The speed of transmission is an important point of difference between the two viruses. Influenza has a shorter median incubation period (the time from infection to appearance of symptoms) and a shorter serial interval (the time between successive cases) than COVID-19 infection. The serial interval for COVID-19 virus is estimated to be 5-6 days, while for the influenza virus, the serial period is 3 days. Children are significant drivers of influenza virus transmission in the community. For COVID-19 virus, initially, it was shown that children are less affected than a grown-up.
Spanish flu infection was most dangerous to children, pregnant women, elderly, those with underlying chronic medical diseases and those who are immunosuppressed. For COVID-19, the current studies show that the older age and underlying conditions increase the risk for severe infection. Mortality for COVID-19 seems higher than for influenza, especially seasonal influenza. The worldwide attempt to create a safe and efficient COVID-19 vaccine is bearing fruit. A handful of vaccines presently have been authorized around the globe; many more remain in development.
Indian vaccine tracker presently has been split in two. The first chart details vaccines that have gained regulatory authorization or approval; the second continues to follow candidates in Phase 1-3 clinical trials and some hopeful candidates in early development.
India began one of the world’s most ambitious vaccination plans, aiming to inject 300 million of its population of 1.3 billion by July 2021. India has the world’s second-largest number of coronavirus cases, almost 10.5 million. It has so far passed two vaccines for use: the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine manufactured by an Indian company, and a domestic vaccine developed by Bharath Biotech which is yet to make clinical trials.
Vaccines are the most important thing in this world right now and we need to co-operate and understand the government about their distribution patterns. Knowing that India is the second country with the covid cases, it is important to have the spreading of Covid19 under control.
Right now, vaccines are provided to the frontline workers who are fighting against the Covid19 even now. India is the second largest country in the world in terms of population and to distribute vaccines to all 1.3 billion people, the quantum of vaccine production has to be very high on a daily basis.
While the Government is trying to make the vaccine affordable to the common man, it may still remain a challenge to distribute the vaccine effectively and some may still find it difficult to buy the same.
Some crowdfunding platforms may come forward to raise funds for the distribution of vaccines to those who can not afford it. Covid19 vaccine should be available to everyone as even one single positive Covid case can cause a butterfly effect.
Every life is valuable.
Author : Lubdha Dhanopia
Ready to Start a Fundraiser ?