The world is currently divided into two types of people; those who have vaccinated against the COVID-19 and the unvaccinated. Governments around the world, including Pakistan, are gradually increasing restrictions against the unvaccinated who are being blamed for prolonging the pandemic.
The most controversial decision is the introduction of the vaccine passport – proof that you have been vaccinated or tested negative against the virus. This is now required for travelling, boarding an airplane, or even entering a restaurant. There are huge concerns over vaccine passports and many countries such as UK had scrapped the plans. Even the WHO is not supportive of mandatory vaccine passports especially with the spread of infections variants. Still, many countries and even organizations are looking to create some sort of COVID-19 passport or health pass.
Pakistan has also expedited efforts to increase the immunization programme. There have been seven million doses administered so far, but the long queues outside vaccine centres have narrowly dwindled. As a drastic measure, the government announced to arrest unvaccinated citizens. Policemen hurriedly lodged cases in Karachi which were quickly dismissed by the court. The government should expedite vaccination drives but resorting to such stop-gap measures should be avoided.
Another problem affecting the world is vaccine equity. There are more than 100 countries in the world that have not started vaccinations. On the contrary, countries like the United States have given jabs more than their population and even booster shots. There are enough vaccines globally to save lives if they reach those who need them the most. According to the WHO, to stop the pandemic, we need to vaccinate at least 40 percent of people in every country by end of this year or early next year.
The world has suffered since the past two years amid the global crisis but there is light at the end of the tunnel. The chief of pharma company Moderna, who developed one of the COVID-19 vaccines, has said the pandemic could be over within a year in 2022. World leaders should expedite efforts and convince citizens to get vaccinated so we can return to normal life.
