The Vaccine For COVID-19: How Effective Will It Be?

It is confirmed that the MCO is extended to February 18th. To-date, the Ministry of Health has reported that the total cases that have been under their attention have reached up to 200k cases. Just like many others, I am not sure how should I react to the news; should I be sad, happy, or all stressed-out. One thing for sure, I pray hard that the pandemic would go away expeditiously, and may the medical researchers able to find out the magic pills that could kill the virus instantaneously with one simple prescription. Well, you can always wish for the best. As reported on 2.2.2021 Currently, there are about 20 vaccines that have undergone phase 3 of research which have run through stages of test and evidently having more than 50% effective rate. It has been reported by The Channel News Asia (and other mainstream media) that Malaysia is expected to receive the first batch of COVID-19 vaccines this coming Feb 26th. It is said the vaccines we are getting has an efficacy rate of 95%. Credit: freemalaysiatoday.com Honestly, all the medical jargons are a bit ‘too much’ for a mum like me. Somehow, trying my best to cater for the online schoolings, putting up with the “Ma, look at Along! She stared at me as if she wanted to kill me!’ day and night, kids complaining of getting bored and on and on… O, I just need my own space - lunch with the girls while the kids are at school, spend some time for myself. It seems ages ago and I miss the non-MCO time. So, what should we expect from the first batch of vaccines that is arriving at the end of this month? Updated Information On COVID-19 Vaccines On the FB live slots WHO Questions in Science, Dr Katherine O’Brien, the Director of the World Health Organization (WHO) Department of Immunization, Vaccines and Biologicals explained some critical points that the public would like to know in the simpler laymen term about the vaccines. Dr Katherine O'Brien, WHO O’Brien stated that they will be 2-doses of vaccines whereby it showed a good immune response within two weeks from the first dose. The second dose is given to boost up the immunity response and it takes a shorter time to kick in as compared to the first dose. Despite the fact that the vaccines do protect people from the disease, researchers still couldn’t confirm how long it will last. Only time could tell if the vaccines are able to protect the person who has been vaccinated are protected from any future disease and from transmitting the diseases to others. The majority of COVID-19 cases showed that the disease seems to be milder in young children. Therefore, the vaccines have not been tested on children and the impact of the vaccine on children is not yet proven. In Malaysia alone, it was reported that at least 20% of all the cases were children below 18. There had been no death in this age group in Malaysia until the current tsunami of cases where a one-year-old baby succumbed to the virus in October last year. Other than the feasibility of the vaccine on children, O'Brien also raised the concern on the shortage of the COVID-19 vaccines supply. For now, my guess would be the priority is to be given based on the patients' criticality. Credit: aeccglobal.my As per O’Brien’s, the vaccines are still learning in fighting the virus. Even after being vaccinated, there’s a constant need to take extra precautions. For how long? Well, it depends on how successful our communities are able to crush the virus. So mummies, let it begin with us. Keep on reminding ourselves to: Stay at home and only go out when necessary. Keep our social distancing. Don’t forget to wear the facemask when you are going out! Practice good hygiene by washing our hands often. Only time will tell how long we will need to adjust to this new norm. For now, just stay safe and healthy.

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