In the intense quest for getting the coveted Covid vaccine, there has been ups and downs almost in equal numbers. Despite the hiccups, the goal has been set and in no way it can be said that there has been any dilution of the determination. At the late stage now, however, a Rs 5 crore compensation claim by a volunteer in Chennai on whom the trial dose was applied  has caught much attention. This has expectedly created confusion among people and it is interesting to observe that the sheer largeness of the amount of the claimed compensation has made the issue ‘blown out of proportion’. The Central Health Ministry has been appropriate by showing little importance to the issue and has announced that the ongoing trials are not going to be halted anyway.

 

If the details which are now available on public domain are taken to be true, it goes without saying that the issue has been attempted to take a sensational turn. First there was the claim that the person was suffering from “severe adverse reaction”. However, a detailed examination has shown that  it was only neurological illness suffered by the volunteer after receiving the AstraZeneca-Oxford candidate vaccine.  As per the latest update, the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO), the apex regulatory agency for drugs and vaccines and other bodies had assessed the 'serious adverse event' that occurred in October and has come to the conclusion that there is  no need to halt the clinical trial in the country. If the past three months journey of the vaccine, known by various names across the world is given a look, ample instances can be found when clinical trials faced bumper rides and adverse results have also been not infrequent. Viewing the entire vaccine making affair in the prism of medical science, it needs to be pointed out that an extensive process that normally takes at least five to seven years has been compressed into a little more than seven  to nine months through fast-tracking of all the components. There was much disbelief regarding the goal itself with the majority of the medical world concluding it as undoable. Thankfully, it has been proved wrong and it’s only a matter of a couple of months or even earlier from  now when the cherished destination will be reached. Even if there are adverse effects due to the trial shots, it must be analysed strictly in the light of the science of vaccine making and any wild claims must not be given room to make sure there are no obstructions now in the last lap.

Any attempt to thwart the vaccine making process at this stage including knocking the doors of courts will tantamount to disservice to society. 

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Kenter Joya Riba

(Managing Editor)
      She is a graduate in Science with post graduation in Sociology from University of Pune. She has been in the media industry for nearly a decade. Before turning to print business, she has been associated with radio and television.
Email: kenterjoyaz@easternsentinel.in / editoreasternsentinel@gmail.com
Phone: 0360-2212313

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