WHEN shall we learn and accept that a disease entity, especially a killer like this SARS-CoV2 virus and its variants, must be left to science and competent epidemiologists, infectious disease clinical experts, and not leave the decisions to politicians, civil liberty agitators, and misinformed people in general?
When confronted with a plumbing problem, do we call an electrician? For electrical issues, do we call a plumber, and for air-conditioning repairs, summon a carpenter? Of course not, in this modern world of specialization.
Wisdom and common sense dictate that we must leave the management and control of this pandemic to specialists in infectious diseases, whose recommendations the federal and state governments must follow and enforce, if we are to save millions of lives, and billions around the globe.
Political correctness kills
So why listen to politicians, civil rights protestors, and non-epidemiologist- parents when it comes to decisions on whether to wear masks, do social distancing, to get the vaccines or not, to get the booster or not? They do not follow science and medical facts; they simply want to be politically correct. The agitators have their own selfish agendas, disregarding the potential loss of lives.
Science and recent studies have shown that after the sixth month of the second shot the effectiveness of the vaccines (level of antibody goes down) has waned to 60 percent or less, and some fully vaccinated people at this time have gotten breakthrough infections (especially from the Delta variant) and died.
FDA panel: Competent?
Last Friday, September 17 the FDA Panel rejected (12-2) the proposal to give the general public the booster shot of Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine. Within hours, the 12 members changed their mind and joined the two pro-booster and “unanimously recommended the third shot to people ages 65 and older and other vulnerable Americans.”
Why the sudden change of heart? Obviously, the 12 were using their personal (scientifically baseless) biases against the booster and NOT on the available clinical evidence-based data from Israel on the need for a booster shot.
Unless we have a more convincing study better than Israel’s, we must listen to the most current available scientific clinical evidence to protect the general public. These 12 do not have any independent research to show the Israel study is wrong.
I bet those 12 on the FDA panel (and their families) will take the booster shot themselves, if they haven’t already. My pediatrician wife, our five children and their spouses, all being physicians, together with me, a cardiac surgeon, have been closely monitoring the latest scientific data on COVID-19 since the pandemic started, and five of us have already gotten the booster, the rest eagerly waiting for their turn.
In April to May, I predicted there would be more severe waves of COVID-19 infections to hit the nation because of people’s refusal to mask-up and do social distancing. In June, I expressed my fears there would be deadlier variants and thousands more infections and deaths because of the refusal of people (20 percent, or about 60 million) to get vaccinated. All these came true.
Today, I bet on this: After the senseless bureaucratic delays and indecision on the booster issue, FDA will soon (sadly, only after thousands more fully vaccinated people have lost their lives from the breakthrough Delta infection) eventually follow the Israel experience and recommend booster shots for the general public. Yes, these witless bureaucrats must still wait for more deaths, to convince themselves.
Anti-vaccine: spreaders
When the vaccine first became available, opponents of then-President Trump were openly discouraging people not to use the “Trump vaccines” because there were rushed (developed too fast, unlike the vaccines of yesteryears) and therefore their safety and effectiveness were suspect. This lie has been propagated causing vaccine hesitancy today among about 20 percent (60 million) of the U.S. population, who are now refusing the vaccine, spreading the killer virus, causing thousands of deaths (more than 90 percent of them among unvaccinated individuals themselves). Unvaccinated persons (the reservoir hosts in whose bodies the virus is replicating rapidly and mutating fast to a more virulent, more deadly strain) are spreading the virus and obviously prolonging this pandemic, which is now infecting and killing more children. Without a host, viruses self-destruct, the reason everyone must be vaccinated.
People are confused
Today, with more than 212 million (around 68 percent) Americans fully vaccinated, proving that these COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective up to more than 90 percent, the issue on the booster shot is likewise being politicized. Obviously, the almost 700,000 COVID-19 deaths in the United States appear not to be enough for us to learn on how to save lives from this pandemic. The naysayers, greatly aided by the irresponsible social media and fake news, have muddled the issue. They have confused and scared the public, putting millions of lives at graver risk, and allowing unvaccinated individuals to continue to acquire and spread the virus, extend this pandemic, and kill thousands more.
The Israel data
Israel, the first nation to have the highest vaccination rate months ago, now with more than 80 percent of its population vaccinated, has proven the safety and benefit of a booster shot, not only for those who are immunocompromised, but for the general population, starting with seniors, pregnant women, and those as young as 12, in view of the Delta variant. Since the effectiveness of the initial two shots wanes after 6 months, a booster is needed for sustained protection. The Israel experience has shown that the booster shot increases the antibody 10- to 12-fold and reduces the severity, hospitalization, and death rate of breakthrough infections if it occurs. Many European countries are following Israel’s lead.
Those vaccinated fully without any adverse effect should also have the same uneventful experience with the booster. To protect ourselves from the new deadlier variants, let us continue to mask-up and do social distancing in public.
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National interest and welfare must always supersede, override, and prevail over individual freedom if equitable justice is to be served in a democracy. Personal right must give in for the greater safety of society as a whole. The same is true for the noble responsibility a person has to his entire family. This sacred principle is especially true in a pandemic or in a world war. And this is a world war.
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The main objective of this column is to educate and inspire people live a healthier lifestyle to prevent illnesses and disabilities and achieve a happier and more productive life. Any diagnosis, recommendation or treatment in our article are general medical information and not intended to be applicable or appropriate for anyone. This column is not a substitute for your physician, who knows your condition well and who is your best ally when it comes to your health.
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Philip S. Chua, MD, FACS, FPCS, a Cardiac Surgeon Emeritus based in Northwest Indiana and Las Vegas, Nevada, is an international medical lecturer/author, and Chairman of the Filipino United Network-USA, a 501(c)3 humanitarian foundation in the United States. Websites: FUN8888.com and philipSchua.com; Email: [email protected].
