THE World Health Organisation (WHO) is now in the process of granting approval to the Sputnik V vaccines which are manufactured in Russia, but to date has not been approved by the WHO. However, the vaccine is being administered in several countries to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus. Indeed, it has been clinically proven to have an efficacy rate comparable to any on the market. Many in Guyana have indicated a preference for the Sputnik V vaccines which, ironically, is still to receive full clearance from the WHO, even though it is almost fully administered in Russia and a number of other countries.

One consequence of non-approval of the Sputnik V vaccine by the WHO has been the reluctance of some countries, including the United States, to allow individuals who have taken it from entering their countries. Guyana is one of those countries that has been administering the vaccine to a significant number of its adult population with the first shot and is now in the process of providing second shots.

The issue of non-recognition of the vaccine was raised by President Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali during his address to the United Nations General Assembly. From all indications, his call for vaccine equity has been well received by global leaders and policy-makers.

There is more good news. The WHO is now in the process of fine-tuning some of the remaining issues it had with the Sputnik V vaccines and it seems more than likely that the vaccines will be approved by the WHO soon.

As President Ali said, those who took the Sputnik V vaccines at a time when there was a mad scramble for vaccines ought not to be penalised. These are the unsung heroes who must be commended for responding to the call to take the COVID-19 vaccines during a time of uncertainty and hesitancy on the part of many.

But it was President Ali’s call for greater vaccine equity and, more specifically, his call for the relevant authorities to speed up the approval of the Sputnik V vaccines that took centre stage in the hallowed halls of the United Nations General Assembly. According to the President, his call was applauded by several world leaders, including the Secretary-General of the United Nations.

The fact is that there still exists a fair measure of skepticism and hesitancy over the question of both the safety and efficacy of vaccines. Most of it is the result of ignorance or in some cases misguided influence. Whatever it may be, the overriding concern by global leaders and policy makers should be to encourage people to become vaccinated and to create an environment of confidence regarding the efficacy and safety of the vaccines.

Given the existing global situation, there can be no place for vaccine nationalism. The entire world is affected by the pandemic. Never since the days of the Spanish Flu, which decimated over a hundred million people a century ago has there been a pandemic with such far-reaching consequences. Already close to five million persons have died from the virus, with the number of those affected reaching the astounding figure of 219 million.

In Guyana, there are already 796 COVID-related deaths with the number of infections over 30,000 since the commencement of the pandemic. These are alarming statistics, especially given the recent spike. The vast majority of those who died from COVID-related deaths were from the unvaccinated population.

The message cannot be clearer. There is a clear and unmistakable correlation between the unvaccinated and COVID-related deaths. The evidence suggests that there is no age cohort that is immune from the virus and even though the elderly may be more vulnerable due to age- related co-morbidities, the unvaccinated young are no less vulnerable.

Guyana has done well in terms of making the vaccines available to the entire population, including a fair number of adolescents. Our vaccination uptake levels continue to accelerate, even though there are still significant regional variations. One can only hope that good sense will prevail and those who have not taken their shots as yet will do so without any further delay.

The fact is that no one is safe until everyone is fully vaccinated against the virus. This is another way of saying that we have to arrive at a position of herd immunity and beyond if we are to experience a state of reasonable comfort– and the sooner, the better.