As Covid-19 continues to wreak havoc around the world, vaccinations fall short of the targets set by leaders. As the New York Times reports: “in the race to beat the virus, the virus is still way out in front…
As England re-entered lockdown on Tuesday, new figures showed that one in 50 people had recently been infected with the virus, and officials warned that some restrictions on daily life could still be needed next winter.
Speaking at a news conference, Prime Minister Boris Johnson promised to focus government efforts on rolling out its strained mass vaccination program intended to prevent a surge in infections of a highly transmissible variant of the virus from overwhelming the health service.
With more than a million confirmed cases in the week ending Jan. 2, or 2 percent of England’s population, Britain is in a race against time to distribute vaccines.
Mr. Johnson was speaking on a day when the government said more than 60,000 new cases were recorded for the first time. Standing alongside him, Professor Chris Whitty, England’s chief medical officer, said that the number of daily deaths, now averaging around 530, was expected to rise and that if people did not observe a lockdown order to stay at home, the risk was ‘extraordinarily high.’
He also warned that Britons might face some restrictions well into the future.
‘We might have to bring a few in, in the next winter for example — that is possible — because winter will benefit the virus,’ Professor Whitty said.
Mr. Johnson said that 1.3 million people had already been vaccinated and that he hoped that the most vulnerable, a group including the elderly and numbering around 13 million, could be protected by the vaccine within about six weeks, turning the tide in the battle against the virus…
Mr. Johnson said that England would be locked down until inoculations reached the four most vulnerable groups: residents in nursing homes and those who care for them, everyone over the age of 70, all frontline health and social care workers, and everyone who is clinically extremely vulnerable.
‘If we succeed in vaccinating all those groups, we will have removed huge numbers of people from the path of the virus,’ he said.
That goal, he added, could be achieved by the middle of February. But to do that, the pace of vaccinations will need to increase drastically.
The four groups that the prime minister cited include 13.9 million people in England, according to Nadhim Zahawi, the minister overseeing the vaccine effort. Since the campaign started on Dec. 8, fewer than 800,000 people in England had been vaccinated as of Dec. 27, the last date when data was available.”
In a poll of 480+ global Sermo Physicians, 86% report that their country is behind on their covid vaccine rollout goal; while 74% say that Covid is still on the rise in their region. When asked why the process is slower than anticipated, here’s how Sermo physicians responded:
- 52% said lack of government efficiency
- 17% said lack of vaccines
- 15% said lack of necessary resources
- 11% said overpromising by governments
- 5% said reluctance to accept the vaccine by individuals who qualify
Seventy-three percent of Sermo physicians are concerned by the new more contagious variant. Only 33% of Sermo physicians reported receiving the vaccine.
Below, Sermo physicians from around the world share their professional insights, perspectives, and opinions on this important topic—in their own words:
In S Africa we are again peaking in the increase in cases. No vaccine in sight!!
General Practice (GP)
I live in Israel and while COVID is again on the rise, they are running out of vaccinations and have done their best despite government vaccinating anyone at the end of the day despite age or risk level. Unfortunately there are areas in the periphery that did not get the word out that they are available and the ultra orthodox have been slow to be vaccinated and fast to spread the virus..
Psychiatry
In Venezuela, a new increase in deaths and collapsed intensive care services are being observed. But the statistics managed by the regime show an underreporting of cases.
Pediatrics (excluding surgery)
The politicians need real community doctors to show them how to give vaccines quickly and efficiently. If this is a war, we should be going 24/7 no holiday weekend breaks!
Pediatrics (excluding surgery)
Everyday thousands of Sermo member physicians from diverse backgrounds and experiences exchange knowledge with each other. Sermo is the original medical social network that empowers today’s physicians. Over 1 million fully verified physicians across more than 150 countries come to our platform to talk with peers, participate in paid medical studies, solve challenging patient cases, contribute to the world’s largest database of drug ratings – and enjoy a few laughs along the way.
Interested in more? Check back any time and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn for the latest and greatest in physician insights.
Are you a physician or healthcare practitioner?
Explore the many benefits of joining Sermo’s medical community and sign up for free today.
