New Delhi: Corona cases have started increasing again in India. 90 percent more cases were registered on Monday than the day before. Although their number was only 2183. After 11 weeks of decline, the rapidly increasing number of corona cases has worried not only the scientists, but also the government and the common people. This question is rising in the minds of people whether this is the beginning of the fourth wave of Corona. People have also started asking questions that what is the status of herd immunity which is being expected after Covid vaccination. Has India acquired herd immunity against Corona, if not then what is the problem in this. What is the problem in controlling Corona? Let us try to know the answer of all these questions.
What is immunity and how is it formed?
The immunity or immunity in our body against the virus spreading disease develops in two ways. First, naturally and secondly through vaccination. In a natural way, our body’s system develops such an ability within itself against any virus, so that it can compete with the virus when it is the next attack. In another way, when our body is unable to produce antibodies against a particular virus itself, then it is tricked from outside by means of a vaccine for that particular virus or its counterpart. Due to this, the body feels that there has been a real attack of the virus and it starts preparing itself to deal with it. After this, when the real virus attacks, our body is already ready for it. Then the virus cannot take a more dangerous form. Through this process of vaccine, success has been achieved in eradicating diseases like polio and smallpox.
What is herd immunity?
Like other viruses, immunity works in the same way on the SARS-CoV-2 virus of Corona. It takes time to develop immunity naturally, and sometimes it does not develop on its own in everyone. When a particular disease spreads, it sometimes takes a long time to be eradicated. The virus of the disease spreads from one to another. When a large part of the population acquires immunity to that virus, then the virus cannot find new bodies to spread and it gradually becomes neutral. This is called herd immunity. Scientists have been convinced that herd immunity can be achieved if 60 to 70 percent of the population is infected with the corona virus itself, or if the body is prepared to fight by a controlled infection through a vaccine.
What is the status of herd immunity in Corona?
India has been among the countries most affected by Corona. No state, district and village has escaped from Covid. However, it is difficult to give an exact figure of how many people have been affected by the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Many Covid cases could not be registered in many states. But it is a matter of relief that more than 98 percent of the adult population of the country has received at least one dose of the Covid vaccine. This means that immunity has been formed in the prescribed people in India, whether it is naturally or through vaccine. But it is not proving enough to stop the corona virus. One reason for this is also considered to be low vaccination in many countries like Africa. WHO says that until most people in all countries get the vaccine, it will be very difficult to get herd immunity against corona. The corona virus will continue to spread infection by infiltrating people without a vaccine.
What is the problem in controlling Corona?
Difficulties are also coming in controlling Corona because its virus is changing rapidly. The initial variants from Corona have lost their effect. Its delta variant is believed to be responsible for the second wave of corona in India. The third wave came from the Omicron variant, especially its BA.1 and BA.2 strains. Now newer variants of Omicron are emerging – BA.1.1, BA.3, BA.4 and BA.5. The last two of these have been included in the list by the World Health Organization only last week. BA.3 is found in some countries but not very fatal. BA.4 has been found in South Africa, Denmark, Botswana, Scotland and England. BA.5 has been observed in Africa and Botswana.
Apart from these, the XE variant made from the union of two viruses of Corona is also becoming a threat. XQ variants have also been seen in the UK, XG in Denmark, XJ in Finland and XK in Belgium. Some studies have shown that the XE variant spreads up to 20 percent more infections. Due to such rapidly changing forms of corona virus, it is becoming difficult to achieve the goal of herd immunity. Until most people develop immunity against corona, new variants will keep coming. However, it is a matter of relief that due to the immunity obtained from vaccination, the previous corona virus has not been more lethal.
