Lal Priyanka Mohan, Shaikh Omer Ahmed, Vohra Laiba Imran, Arif Aabiya, Ochani Sidhant, Ullah Kaleem
Department of Medicine, Ziauddin Medical University, Karachi, Pakistan.
Department of Medicine, Khairpur Medical College, Khairpur Mir's, Pakistan.
Ann Med Surg (Lond). 2022 Sep;81:104360. doi: 10.1016/j.amsu.2022.104360. Epub 2022 Aug 22.
Pakistan is dealing with the fifth wave brought on by the new type, Omicron (or B.1.1.529) with 1,547,795 confirmed cases with 30,452 deaths of COVID-19, as reported by World Health Organization (WHO) from 2020 to 2022. Vaccination is the best tool to curb this pandemic and fight against the new variants as it reduces the likelihood that the disease will be severe. A two-dose regimen of the BNT162b2 vaccine provides 95% protection to people aged 16 years and above, against the novel coronavirus. However, like in other developing countries, the vaccination campaign in Pakistan is hampered due to vaccine hesitation. This might not be the last mutation the world shall face. As with any other virus, the corona-virus is also expected to mutate frequently in the future, making annual booster shots the only way to stay significantly immunized against this deadly virus. Communication and counseling are needed to build their trust while taking care of social inequalities in the population. The authorities must intensify their efforts and should address this very important issue.
据世界卫生组织（WHO）报告，2020年至2022年期间，巴基斯坦正在应对由新型奥密克戎毒株（或B.1.1.529）引发的第五波疫情，新冠肺炎确诊病例达1547795例，死亡30452例。接种疫苗是遏制这一疫情大流行并对抗新变种的最佳工具，因为它能降低疾病严重化的可能性。BNT162b2疫苗的两剂接种方案为16岁及以上人群提供了95%的针对新型冠状病毒的防护。然而，与其他发展中国家一样，巴基斯坦的疫苗接种运动因疫苗犹豫而受阻。这可能不是世界将面临的最后一次变异。与任何其他病毒一样，冠状病毒预计未来也会频繁变异，这使得每年接种加强针成为持续有效免疫抵御这种致命病毒的唯一途径。在关注人群社会不平等问题的同时，需要通过沟通和咨询来建立他们的信任。当局必须加大力度并解决这个非常重要的问题。
