TAKE PRECAUTIONSBEFORE VACCINATION Elvidio Miranda After the scare in Norway, as an outcome of vaccination with the peer-reviewed AstraZeneca/Oxford vaccine, it would be prudent that precautions be taken especially while vaccinating those over 60, as it must be agreed that only those senior citizens will opt for inoculation if they fear that they may be susceptible to being infected with Covid-19. It must be stressed that those above 60 who enjoy robust health will not seek to be vaccinated. In case of the AstraZeneca/Oxford vaccine in Norway, it has been reported that cases of bleeding, clotting and low count of blood platelets has been detected. Obviously, it could be that these conditions were endemic to the respective recipients and therefore utmost precaution has to be taken to avoid post-vaccination anomalies and serious side effects. It should be noted that vaccines only develop anti-bodies and T-cells against Covid-19 and do not afford other protection by and large. Alternately, it could be possible that anti-bodies and T-cells generated as a consequence of inoculation could also protect from a few other conditions, but may leave gaps in people with various other co-morbidities. Therefore,to avoid any uncalled for consequences, it would be prudent to take precautions. For example, some tests may be conducted for those who seem vulnerable, before vaccination. Lessons should be learnt from the Norway example. Ideally, the vaccination drive should be as precise and thorough as possible.
