Vaccination only long-term solution to combat COVID-19 crisis

There is broad agreement within the global scientific community that the most effective way to combat the COVID‑19 pandemic is through mass vaccination of populations around the world. Since end-January this year in Sri Lanka too, mass vaccinations have been rolled out successfully. However, the need to address issues of trust, myths and the effectiveness and safety of the vaccines is necessary to ensure public confidence towards the continued success of the vaccination programme. Dr Deshani Herath, Senior Registrar in Community Medicine, Health Promotion Bureau in conversation clarifies a wide range of COVID vaccine topics including public concerns.

Q  Can you explain how a COVID-19 vaccine works? 
Once it is introduced to the human body, the body recognizes these as foreign particles, an intruder, and begins to develop an immune response in the form of antibodies. Vaccine helps develop immunity by imitating an infection. Once the imitation infection goes away, the human body is left with ‘memory cells’ (T-lymphocytes and B-lymphocytes) - that will remember how to fight the particular infection when the body encounters it in the future. Several types of vaccines are available for COVID-19. They are inactivated/weakened virus vaccines, viral vector vaccines, protein-based vaccines and nucleic acid vaccines (mRNA). But none of the current vaccines contain the live COVID-19 virus and cannot make you sick with COVID-19.  

Q Which vaccine is better in fighting the virus? 
Each vaccine is unique. But all of them offer stronger protection against COVID-19. Currently, there is reluctance among the younger generation against the offered vaccines citing overseas education and employment, also due to myths circulating in social media platforms. My advice is do not try to select the vaccine based on the label name i.e. in which country they have been developed. All vaccines available in Sri Lanka are safe. Just make sure that you are safe from COVID-19 and get vaccinated.  

Q Some people believe that the vaccines can result in side-effects, what are your views?
Like any medication, COVID-19 vaccines can cause side effects. But majority of them are mild. We can categorize side effects from minor to moderate to severe. But we need to understand that all vaccines, go through very rigorous testing for safety and effectiveness through clinical trials before they are released for public use. Currently we believe there is nothing to worry as you can expect mild to moderate, and in some instances severe side effects. But these are a small percentage. You always have to outweigh the risk with the benefits.

Q There is a misconception that Covid vaccines are not suitable for pregnant mothers. Please explain.
There are views circulating in the community about repercussions for the mother and the baby if vaccinated. To-date we have not received any negative feedback or evidence to suggest this. We advise pregnant women irrespective of which trimester they are in to take the vaccine at the first opportunity after discussing with their area public health team such as the Medical Officer of Health (MOH) and Midwife etc.

Q There is also a belief that the vaccine can cause infertility. What are your thoughts on this?
This is a false belief and a myth. When women select family planning contraception methods – implants, devices injections, pills, these all contain hormones estrogen and progesterone and result in temporary infertility. However, the COVID vaccines contain active and inactive ingredients such as antigens, adjuvants and preservatives respectively. They comprise mainly lipids, salts and sugar which do not cause infertility. 

Q Can a person vaccinated with both the doses still get infected with the Virus?
Currently, the best option to combat COVID-19 is the vaccine, plus COVID Appropriate Behaviour, which includes wearing the mask and wearing it properly, maintaining physical distance, wash your hands regularly with soap and go outside only for essential travel. If you really maintain this lifestyle you really can be safe. 

However, there are instances with people who have taken vaccine, getting infected with COVID. But they are less likely to end up in hospital with complications and ICU care. You can also transmit it to others if you are not vaccinated. The vaccine offers you and others protection against severe and fatal outcomes of COVID-19.

Q Your views on the vaccination drive?
Especially as a third world country and as health care workers we are happy and proud to have achieved more than 50% of the target population. 

Q In addition to the vaccines are there any other treatment methods recommended?
We had to think about the medicine which can overall offer protection for the disease. The vaccine is the first option so we really cannot offer any other medicine as a substitute to slow down this global pandemic.
(This Q&A is part an awareness campaign conducted jointly by the Health Promotion Bureau of the Ministry of Health, the World Bank and UNICEF to shed light on essential information in relation to Covid-19, the importance of Covid Appropriate Behaviour (CAB) and the need to continue prevention measures after vaccination.)