On July 4th, World Health Organization (WHO) urged Western countries to accept travelers fully vaccinated with Chinese vaccines, Sinopharm and Sinovac.
Pakistan launched a very well-organized vaccination campaign that was welcomed by all citizens. WHO has been auditing covid -19 statistics for the Pakistani population. The latest reports issued by WHO show better control of the covid-19 situation in Pakistan as compared to the United Kingdom and Canada.
In Pakistan, there was a -57 weekly decrease and a -19.22% weekly change. From 3rd Jan 2020 to 16th July 2021, Pakistan had 22,642 confirmed Covid deaths whereas, during the same period the United Kingdom met 128, 593 and Canada received 26,458 covid related deaths.
Read more: Pakistan 3rd best in the world while dealing with COVID-19: Economist report
The statistics were calculated by WHO, which is an international organization responsible for enforcing uniformity in health care provision across borders. The evidence shows that Pakistan surpassed United Kingdom and Canada in containing covid related deaths despite being an under resourced third world country.
Instead of giving us an applause, Pakistani travelers are told that Sinopharm is not accepted as a valid vaccine in these two countries, so anyone who considers themselves fully vaccinated after 2 shots of this vaccine do not meet the standard of vaccination!
Multiple doses of vaccines
Many such travelers are considering getting themselves re- vaccinated with Pfizer or Moderna to satisfy the travel regulations, but the big question is, will it be safe to do so?
No doubt mixing and matching of vaccines has started globally like someone got Pfizer as a first shot and had to take Moderna as the second shot, but is this the right approach?
Read more: North Korea ‘tried to hack’ Pfizer for vaccine info – South’s spies: reports
On the contrary, there are numerous press releases warning Americans not to self administer a third dose of vaccine. The risks quoted are higher chances of adverse reactions and a muted immune response.
Johnson & Johnson’s beleaguered Covid-19 vaccine may be associated with a very small increased risk of Guillain–Barré syndrome, a rare but potentially serious neurological condition. Here's what you need to know. https://t.co/SjtPxu9rVd
— NYT Science (@NYTScience) July 18, 2021
The Center for Disease Control (CDC) says that vaccines are not interchangeable because safety and efficacy of mixed product series has not been examined. One of the WHO’s senior scientist condemns this practice as “data free, evidence free zone.”
Sinopharm has been widely used in more than 25 countries with very few reports of adverse effects. I am among thousands others who consider themselves fully vaccinated. We look forward to WHO to clarify our status and issue a statement if we need to get re-vaccinated with Pfizer or Moderna to meet the global vaccination status!
Read more: UAE makes attested vaccine certificates a must for Pakistani visitors
The author has done MBBS, MCPS, FCPS, MCCEE, and is a consultant Obstetrician & Gynecologist at Mega Medical Complex. The views expressed in the article are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect the editorial policy of Global Village Space.Â