We are entering the New Year in a situation where the layers of anxiety and hope alternately rise and fall. If 2020 had been the worst year in recent memory due to COVID-19 epidemic, it is hoped that by 2021 it will be back to normal. At the same time, the new variant of the epidemic remains a concern.
When COVID-19 plunged the world into crisis in 2020, the rhythm of life went haywire. COVID’s new variant has come at a time when it was hoped that we would be free from the scourge of the global financial crisis with the distribution of vaccines by various companies. The advent of a new virus that is more likely to spread quickly is undermining these expectations. With this new development comes the new worry, which would we get first, whether it is a vaccine or a virus” We are entering 2021 with the fear that we will be exposed to the virus before the vaccine becomes available.
Following on the footsteps of Pfizer, the US company that initiated the vaccination process, other companies are accelerating their efforts to bring the vaccine to market. The vaccine, developed by Oxford University and AstraZeneca, has been approved by the United Kingdom. Russia’s Sputnik and India’s Covacin are expected to be available soon. The US company Moderna is also on track to make the vaccine available. Rewriting the history finding and releasing vaccine after four to six years of test and bringing it out in six months is hoped that the catastrophic epidemic of COVID vaccines will be eradicated sooner than expected.
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has again announced a lockdown, raising concerns. When Britain returns to the lockdown, other European countries will have to go through the process of closure. Concerns remain about how effective the COVID vaccine will be against the new virus variant. The number of COVID-19 patients is increasing in the US and other European countries, including the UK.
With the UK approval of the COVID vaccine, developed by Oxford University and AstraZeneca, there is hope that the vaccine will soon be available in India. India is mainly hinging on this vaccine. The Serum Institute in India is a partner in vaccine development at Oxford University. Therefore, it is hoped that this vaccine will be approved in India as soon as possible.
The Serum Institute, the world’s largest vaccine manufacturer, is expected to enter into an agreement with the Central Government for the distribution of the vaccine. Discussions on this are in the final stages. The Serum Institute has already developed 50 million dosages of Covishield, developed by Oxford University and AstraZeneca. The plan is to increase production to 100 million in the coming months. Today’s expert committee meeting will consider the Serum Institute’s application for immediate approval of the Covishield.
With the availability of the vaccine, the New Year can be welcomed with the hope that it will be an important step in the fight against the epidemic. Gulf Indians wishes Happy New Year to the readers.
