Covid-19 Vaccination
The Vaccine roll out:
Now the UK has had the most successful vaccine roll out in Europe we also rank the highest in the top three countries globally. With only Israel and the UAE ranking above us globally. Now both of these countries have taken advantage of their extensive logistical networks. These networks have enabled smooth delivery of vaccines sourcing and funding of these crucial items of medicine and streamlined delivery. Now the UK’s efforts have had several notable key players or factors which has contributed to its success. The part which our NHS has played in battling the virus as well as the vast amount of volunteers who have signed up to support the vaccine rollout allowing us to administer the vaccines. Now as with many articles which have given credit to the works that the government had done with the procurement of vaccines. The country took a risk by not joining the EU scheme and took steps to set up its own procurement scheme both funding and signing unto multiple companies programs. This could have been highly problematic we could have spent a lot of taxpayer money on failed schemes which may have yielded nothing. However, by doing this the government was able to ensure access to the vaccines by giving the companies a commitment to their product. Other schemes which did not provide the same guarantee fell into an issue with this.
The Vaccine:
Now the vaccines themselves are an innovation in both their design and speed of development. Now truly this innovative process has the potential to be used in other areas of medicine but the fact that the sector has now created a new system which expands on traditional processes. Whereas vaccines traditionally used dead or weak viruses. Now, this innovation introduces a cultured antigen into a delivery system often yeast or bacteria. This takes advantage of the growth characteristics of these types of molecule. Once cultured they then go through a purifying process making them safe. With any scientific achievement, there are always steps to continue to innovate with the mRNA that is the processing time between different virus proteins. AI drug development could be one particular area which could possibly see us be able to innovate this process identifying discrepancies faster than what conventional science can.
Travel and Passports:
With the good news, this will undoubtedly bring too many some will now start thinking about travel. Now one thing that has been discussed regularly is the feasibility or indeed likelihood of a vaccine passport as many people are thinking about how or even if countries have protocols in place for vaccination against diseases. Yellow Fever is one particular disease which is regularly vaccinated against as is hepatitis. Now whilst holidays will likely return there is a possibility that this will only be possible with covid passports of some description. We are already seeing that a mandatory isolation period is being brought into protecting citizens from 33 high-risk countries with variants of the covid virus. However, at this point whilst we are likely to see some form of testing for covid and a return of travel corridors until it is known if vaccines will prevent the spread of the virus. The reason testing may be the likely first step is to allow travel for those under 50 who have not been able to be vaccinated to travel and will likely be the result of lobbying by travel companies. For anyone who wants written proof of the vaccine, they can obtain this from GPs for a small fee. Although companies have not outright suggested a further restriction on those travelling it is too early to tell what this could look like but for those with existing bookings, I would ensure you have suitable travel insurance and re-read your holiday providers policies. The articles at the bottom of this article provide a reference for vaccines needed in each country as well as possible restrictions for travel.
https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2020/08/future-of-cities-covid-19/
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/jul/10/uk-poised-to-shun-eu-coronavirus-vaccine-scheme
https://www.england.nhs.uk/statistics/statistical-work-areas/covid-19-vaccinations/
https://www.which.co.uk/news/2021/02/will-i-need-a-coronavirus-vaccine-to-fly-or-travel-in-2021/
