Is Vaccine the Only Magic Bullet to Kill the Third Wave?

CME INDIA Presentation by Dr. S. K. Gupta, MD (Med), FICP, CFM (France) Clinical Asst. Professor GS Medical College, CCSU, Uttar Pradesh, India. Visiting Consultant, Max Super Specialty Hospital, New Delhi.

Let us look at the experience so far…

Covid Cases are on rise in UK despite more than 53% population having been covered by two doses of Vaccine see Figure .

USA

Corona virus infections in the US are on the rise again after months of being in decline. About 23,600 new coronavirus cases were confirmed across the US on 12 July, up from 11,300 on 23 June despite 49% population coverage by both doses of vaccine.
The highly transmissible delta variant contributing significantly to the recent surge. The delta variant is now estimated to account for 58 per cent of US cases.

WHO

WHO emergency Committee on 15 July 21 “recognised the strong likelihood for the emergence and global spread of new and possibly more dangerous variants of concern that may be even more challenging to control.”
WHO experts released a statement saying the pandemic remains a challenge globally.

INDIA

Second wave in India is far from over with nearly 38949 cases as on 16th July 21 in comparison to ~8709 cases on the day the day 8th Feb 21 when second wave began in India.

How serious this could be a warning for India?

We must not forget that devastating second wave struck India 2months after creating havoc in UK. So, we must learn to see the writing in wall about 3rd wave.
Govt is issuing warning after warning. People just refuse to budge. Govt of India Health Secretary stating that people are taking 3rd Wave warning like whether report is an expression frustration of Govt by people’s Casual outlook towards pandemic.
Vaccines used in UK and USA have more robust efficacy data than the ones used in India.
Vaccine coverage in India being nearly 6.35% (Data till 21/07/2021) (Both doses) leaves larger population rather still vulnerable. Note : Though 39 Crore doses in total have been given~25%.

Only positive factor for India could be that Delta variant having already caused havoc in India during Second wave, might have induced some good immunity in Population by subclinical infections. However, WHO warning about emergence of New Variants should not be ignored.

Recent Pictures of Crowds at Hill Station of Manali could be examples of Lockdown Fatigue.
For most Lower middle class and poor in India lifting lockdown is essential to sustain livelihood.
Festive Season in coming days like Rakhi, Independence Day, Janmashtami, Dussehra are likely to prompt more crowded markets.

For whatever reasons Lockdowns can’t be enforced for very long…

It will be unfortunate if we close our eyes to the course of pandemic in other nations and remain ignorant – Doom is sure to follow.
Largely, it is in our Hands to Delay and Decay the third wave after all Masks are 85% effective in preventing transmission.