You’re likely no stranger to the news of the breakthrough vaccines to tackle the Covid-19 virus that has plagued the world so intensely this year. We are rounding up the year, yet it seems like the virus isn’t easing off anytime soon.
Currently, news of a second wave has hit the streets and caused a lot of panic in the minds of people all over the world. Studies have shown that it is possible to be re-infected by the Covid-19 virus a second time. And so most people are banking on the vaccines to stop the virus in its tracks once and for all.
While the path may be clearer with the authorization of the vaccine, it is still going to be a bumpy ride in 2021, and masks are not going away anytime soon. 2020 was a tipping point and forced a lot of changes to different sectors in Nigeria and the world at large. I can say for a fact that this year has been a rollercoaster ride, which may continue well into the next year.
What to expect then?
2021 is going to be a two-sided coin laced with both good news and bad news. We are going to witness disappointments, delays, and conflict. But at the same time, we are going to be excited when we read stories of victories shared by Covid-19 survivors. No one knows for sure which side of the coin will last longer than the other.
With the enrolment of more than 43,000 volunteers, the candidate vaccines made by Pfizer and BioNTech have proven to be 90% effective against Covid-19 when the effectiveness data was released. The Moderna vaccine has followed closely behind and became the second to be approved by the United States FDA. We’re also likely to see the Oxford vaccine receive regulatory approval by the UK soon.
With more hospitals reaching over-capacity and economies sliding into recessions due to the onslaught of the sudden change forced upon the world, you should expect more candidate vaccines and clinical trials on different age groups and ethnically diverse backgrounds to complement the one from Pfizer-BioNTech and counter this global health crisis for good.
The virus has exposed inefficiencies in the health sector and thrown more light on the need for vaccine research to be better prepared. 2021 will reveal more explosive scientific collaborations and also bring in a lot of controversies and conspiracy theories regarding the vaccine, some of which have already begun. Many will refuse to accept vaccination based on these theories, and more will demand to see further results proving its effectiveness.
With the increased media attention the vaccine is getting, you should expect a lot of peddlers and fake information mongers roaming around looking for unsuspecting persons to devour. There are a million and one conspiracy theories, spread by people who should know better. Don’t share fake news, and remember to be cautious of the source of information you digest and give the power to affect your choices.
Can the vaccine get to everyone who needs it? The vaccines may not be distributed fast enough to accommodate the demands of countries across the world, initially at least, although it is currently being rolled in some of the top economies of the world like the US, Canada, and UK. Before the end of 2021 though, we should certainly get answers to the question of the rate of distribution globally and the subsequent effectiveness rate when applied on a larger scale. While they have shown impressive efficacy at tackling the virus so far, the long term effects remain unseen.
We should not expect the vaccine to be a miracle cure and must ensure hygienic practices persist, to properly get the virus under control. This means that we must strive to normalize wearing masks, practice social distancing, reduce physical touches to the barest minimum, and avoid large gatherings.
The road ahead will be tough, but we have made it through a crazy year and are still standing. And that’s a big win in my book. I have no doubt we will make it through 2021 and beyond, no matter what curveballs it throws our way.
At the end of the day, one question remains on the minds of everyone. Will life ever return to the normal we knew it as? I wish there is a definite yes to that and a specific timeline, but even the most accurate statistics and projections will not give you a definite answer. So, rather than wait for answers, we may never get, we must adapt to dealing with this change as the new normal. Until it isn’t.
What is your prediction for 2021? Leave your comment below!