Three Years Of COVID-19: It Is Not Yet Time To Let Our Guard Down

This year, the world completes three years of its ongoing battle against COVID-19. So far, the SARS-CoV-2 virus has affected 4.4 crore people, and more than 5.3 lakh succumbed to the disease in India. Along with losing loved ones, the global pandemic has reversed years of progress on hunger, nutrition, and healthcare. To this date, mutations of the virus continue to threaten global health.

The latest Omicron variant XBB.1.5 每 which caused a massive surge in infection in the US 每 was found in 11 states and Union territories this month, including Delhi, Maharashtra, and West Bengal. As we tread into 2023, what is the way forward to survive the health crises that the virus continues to bring about?

India＊s success was driven by collaboration

Amid distress caused by the pandemic, the resilience of people and multi-stakeholder partnerships between the government, non-profits, and private institutions 每 helped our nation recover. So much so that India＊s fight against the virus has come to be a globally acknowledged success story.

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To elaborate on the crisis response, the country was able to face multiple challenges through a set of short- and long-term strategies and swift on-ground response from healthcare, and ASHA workers. The development sector also played a key role in facilitating aid at the grassroots. Organizations like Rotary - that has globally spearheaded eradication programs of vaccine-preventable diseases such as polio for decades 每 worked with the Govt in tackling COVID-19.

The organization communicated life-saving information about COVID-19 and vaccines, combatted misinformation, and donated critical medical supplies to hospitals that were stretched. Furthermore, what headed the crisis response was the Govt＊s three-pronged, digital-first crisis strategy that comprised of a) nationwide effort to test-trace-isolate-quarantine (TTIQ) people as quickly as possible; b) scaling up of healthcare infrastructure and expanding telemedicine for remote treatment; and c) facilitating local and international cooperation for vaccine production.

Tech-powered preparedness can strengthen the battle

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The Govt supported the research, development, and manufacturing of COVID-19 vaccines under the ＆Make-in-India＊ and ＆Make-for-World＊ strategy, powered by cutting-edge technology like CoWIN. The app monitored vaccine coverage and prioritized administration based on scientific evidence. It also became the single reference point for citizens to follow their vaccination schedule.

While ensuring vaccine supply to the farthest corners of the country, India also exported vaccines to the rest of the world. CoWIN portal and the Aarogya Setu App are efficient tools that show the power technology has to transform the management and surveillance of other vaccine-preventable diseases such as polio, measles, and Tetanus to name a few. In fact, U-WIN 每 a program that aims to digitize Universal Immunization Program (UIP) has been introduced in a pilot mode in two districts of every state and Union Territory in the country. This establishes that leveraging technology is the way forward to build resilience in public healthcare.

Disinterest in booster shots is a national concern

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While India＊s vaccination coverage has exceeded 200 crores in total, the current challenge lies in administering the third dose. India＊s population is facing ＆vaccine apathy＊ where there is a widespread disinterest among citizens in taking the third dose - booster shot. While 56.1 crore people aged 18-44 years have taken the first dose, only 9.9 crore of them have taken their booster shot. The decrease in vaccination is seen in 45每69-year-olds (first dose: 20.4, booster: 5.02 crore) as well as among people above 60 years (first dose: 12.7 crores, booster: 4.8 crore).

This means that among Indian adults, less than one-fourth of the population have taken their booster shots. A plausible explanation for this could be the reduction in new COVID-19 cases 每 leading people to assume that if there is no current wave, there is no need to continue vaccinations. Tackling this misconception is essential as no one is immune to SARS-CoV-2 virus and its variants. We must spread awareness that a decrease in the uptake of booster shots will lead to a decrease in herd immunity and increase mortality rates.

Way forward to survive COVID-19

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COVID-19 and its impact have highlighted the fragility of healthcare systems across the world. To truly be prepared for a medical emergency, we must relook at and strengthen our healthcare system by building infrastructure to support COVID-19 research. The government＊s PM Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission is a welcome scheme that can aid in improving on-ground public health facilities. However, it is equally important to focus on building long-term partnerships between the Govt, research laboratories, development sector organizations and private corporations to bolster India＊s research and development capabilities.

Scaling up capacity for genomic surveillance of future SARS-CoV-2 variants will help us analyze transmission rates, severity, and vaccine production accordingly. In this regard, the Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genomics Consortium (INSACOG) 每 established solely to expand whole genome sequencing of SARS-CoV-2 across the nation 每 lies at the heart of COVID-19 preparedness and response. To break the chain of transmission as early as possible, we must invest in infrastructure for genomic surveillance to leverage the local expertise that we already have.

AFP

Public-private partnerships in the medical industry, global partnerships, along with collaborations with development sector organizations like Rotary can be leveraged to build a new model of Indian healthcare powered by technology - that can scale up and scale down instantly - without compromising on the quality of care. In 2020, the pandemic took the world by surprise and disrupted every aspect of life. While we have stepped up to improve healthcare, COVID-19 preparedness is only the beginning. To truly survive pandemics and other health emergencies, the need of the hour is to make healthcare the epicenter of our nation＊s development.

About the Author - Dr. Pavithra Venkatagopalan, a microbiologist, coronavirus expert and Covid Awareness Specialist, Rotary club of Madras Next Gen. All views/opinions expressed in the article are of the author.