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Vaccines are a gift from God




Sabi Kumar

Sabi Kumar

Over the last several weeks, it was a joy to see the re-opening of America as our economy rebounded, businesses opened their doors, workers came back to the shops and offices, and the evening crowds populated the eateries. Folks were happy to be at community events and social gatherings. Not having seen many in over a year, a public event felt like a family re-union. You see, I live in a small southern town!

As a physician, I have promoted masks, social distancing, hygiene, hand-sanitizers and vaccination. I am concerned that our state is among the least vaccinated in our country. I am grateful that the pandemic slowed despite our low vaccination rates. I am concerned about the increasing spread of the Delta variant.

Mark Twain said the “numbers don’t lie”. They can be tricky, though. The current numbers for positive tests, cases, hospitalizations, and deaths are mostly due to the Delta variant of Covid-19.

These numbers appear small as compared to the havoc last year. We have to realize that these numbers apply mainly to those who are not vaccinated. Let us consider that almost 40% of Tennesseans are presently vaccinated and some are immune due to previous infection.

Of the 60% of our population that is not vaccinated, approximately 15% are below the age of 12 years and are not yet vaccine eligible or routinely tested. Therefore, the currently reported Covid-19 cases (mostly Delta variant) are occurring in about 45% of our population.

This gives us a true picture that the current threat is larger than it appears. This emphasizes the need for vaccinations.

A lack of balanced scientific facts has led us, and our leaders, to act on political thought rather than logic. Human nature being what it is, our response to risky situations is not always thoughtful.

Among us, the humans, are those who are concerned about or afraid of Covid-19 infection (Pro-Vaxxers), concerned about or afraid of vaccine side effects (Vaccine-Hesitant) and the dare devils (Anti-Vaxxers).

The social media has served to connect the like-minded and isolated us from free exchange of ideas and understanding.

The Anti-Vaxxer passion has labeled the current vaccines as “not approved” or even “experimental.” The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulatory process for formal approval of a drug or vaccine can take years. It is a very thorough process, as it should be.

To protect the American population from delays, in the face of a public health emergency such as Covid-19, an “Emergency Use Authorization” was granted. This provision exists for the very purpose that the words imply.

The duty, and the mission, of FDA is to assure safety and effectiveness of therapies for the American public. In the present situation, the safety is proven because over 3.8 billion doses worldwide and over 341 million doses in the US have been given.

Major adverse events occur in about 1 in 50,000 recipients. Effectiveness of vaccinations is proven because among the 160 million Americans fully vaccinated, only 5,500 required hospitalizations due to Covid-19. The severity of illness and death rate is really low among the vaccinated.

Let us be aware that vaccines are 75-90 % effective against the Delta variant. Even though I am vaccinated, I continue to use masks, social distance, hygiene and sanitizers A vaccinated person may not get sick but can still carry and spread the virus.

We face a larger-than-it-appears and a growing threat of the Delta variant of Covid-19. Safe and effective vaccines are available. As a physician, I believe that it is imperative that we promote and provide Covid-19 vaccine to all eligible persons. I consider these vaccines to be a gift from God. He gave our scientists the knowledge and the ability to make vaccines by opening the great secrets of His universe!

Along the way, I pray that we can unite, as Americans, to protect each other and our nation.

Rep Sabi Doc Kumar MD (R) represents District 66 in the Tennessee General Assembly — Rep.Sabi.Kumar@Capitol.tn.gov

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