Open AccessThe Time to Begin Plans for COVID-19 Eradication is Now
Author(s) -
Thomas John,
Dhanya Dharmapalan
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
christian journal for global health
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.101
H-Index - 1
ISSN - 2167-2415
DOI - 10.15566/cjgh.v7i4.481
Subject(s) - pandemic , herd immunity , toll , covid-19 , economic growth , death toll , disease , control (management) , development economics , business , environmental health , medicine , socioeconomics , geography , vaccination , virology , immunology , economics , infectious disease (medical specialty) , management , pathology
After the world recovers from the pandemic of SARS-CoV-2, it is most likely to stabilise as endemic and seasonal, deserving/demanding control efforts perpetually in all countries, unless it can be eradicated. The risk of mortality is high among those above 65 years and those with chronic “lifestyle” diseases. Endemic circulation will, therefore, take a heavy toll on life annually. Eradication is an extreme form of control, eliminating the disease permanently and globally. Effective vaccines are expected in the near future. As the pandemic abates, herd immunity will be very high, enabling early eradication by additional build-up of a vaccine-induced herd immunity. Public memory of the pandemic will be fresh, which will assist in social mobilisation and fund raising towards eradication. If time is lost, the infection is likely to become non-eradicable as domestic/farmed animals may become fresh reservoirs. Resolve to eradicate and designing its road-map must be made at the earliest.