Those vaccinated should continue to practise S.O.P.

July 2, 2021 @ 12:08am

LETTERS: Many are wondering if they can return to normal life after being vaccinated. The Covid-19 National Immunisation Programme seeks to achieve herd immunity by the end of the year.

The success of a vaccination programme depends on various factors.

The first includes achieving an adequate level of vaccination acceptance among the public. When most of the population has been vaccinated, herd immunity is achieved, which then protects those who are not immune to the disease.

In the past, herd immunity has been used to prevent infectious diseases caused by viruses such as polio, measles and mumps, all of which are now uncommon.

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However, disease outbreaks do occur, albeit infrequently, in communities with lower immune systems or lower vaccine coverage.

Vaccinated people are at less risk of being infected, but in the event they are, they usually exhibit less severe symptoms.

Another factor is the effectiveness of vaccines to Covid-19 variants. Variants are changes or mutations that occur in viruses over time, which is common.

However, although some mutations may not affect the virus significantly, some may cause the virus to become more transmissible, cause severe symptoms or even become unsusceptible to vaccines.

The United States Centers For Disease Control and Prevention guideline stated that there is uncertainty about the effectiveness of vaccines to variants. So preventive steps are still recommended.

Studies are underway to determine how long vaccines provide immunity, and whether further vaccinations are required.

While issues concerning the effectiveness of vaccines are out of the public's hands, we can play an important part in limiting the virus' transmission.

Those vaccinated must continue to wear face masks, wash their hands frequently, practise physical distancing and avoid large crowds.

The World Health Organisation also recommended that those vaccinated continue to take precautions.

Until herd immunity is reached, let's continue to play our part to protect ourselves and our loved ones against the virus.

DR FARIDA ISLAHUDIN

Associate professor in Pharmacy

Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia

The views expressed in this article are the author's own and do not necessarily reflect those of the New Straits Times