Omicron underscores the crucial importance of public health and social measures to counter transmission and the rapid increase in Covid 19 cases due to Omicron can very quickly overwhelm the health systems and jeopardise the hard-won battles during the pandemic, said World Health Organization (WHO) Representative to Sri Lanka, Dr. Alaka Singh in an interview with the Sunday Observer.
Dr. Singh applauds Sri Lanka’s vaccination drive based on the Government’s approach led by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa himself. Sri Lanka has also initiated administration of the third dose with more than 5 million covered, including about half of the over 60 population in line with WHO’s emphasis on prioritising at-risk populations for vaccination, she added.
She advises the public to get the booster when it’s their turn to protect themselves, their families and the community.
Excerpts
Q: Are you satisfied with the measures taken by the Government to curb the pandemic?
A: Sri Lanka’s response to the pandemic has been swift and coordinated with a whole of government and whole of society approach, based on a strongly rooted public health system. This is evident in the successful vaccination drive backed by public health and social measures; and treatment programs for Covid-19 over the past two years.
Vaccination has been proven to reduce severe disease and death due to Covid-19. As key in the fight against the virus, WHO called for countries to vaccinate 40 percent of their population by the end of 2021 and 70 percent by mid-2022. Sri Lanka already achieved over 60 percent coverage with both doses in December last year. We applaud Sri Lanka’s vaccination drive based on the Government’s approach led by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa himself. Sri Lanka has also initiated administration of the third dose with more than 5 million covered, including about half of the over 60 population in line with WHO’s emphasis on prioritising at-risk populations for vaccination.
This was accompanied by HPB/MoH’s guidance on public health and social measures (PHSM) including DReAM (Distancing, Respiratory etiquette, Aseptic techniques and Masks). The Government also placed a strict quarantine curfew to ensure adherence to PHSM and contain the 3rd wave. At this stage of the pandemic, individuals and communities must assume responsibility for compliance to these measures. Moreover, both vaccination and PHSM efforts must be sustained over the next weeks if we are to end the acute phase of the pandemic.
Sri Lanka has also put in place an innovative strategy to care for patients and reduce the pressure on the country’s hospitals from Covid-19. The Integrated Home-Based Isolation and Management System was launched by the MoH to accommodate the rapidly rising case numbers of the 3rd wave. Several other helplines have also been established for public concerns regarding Covid-19. These well-designed and rapidly implemented measures safeguarded the health system from being over-stretched at a critical point.
Q: In what ways (of late) has the World Health Organization provided assistance to control the Covid 19 situation in Sri Lanka. What are the latest programs launched in Sri Lanka?
A: WHO’s support to Sri Lanka may be categorised in three areas. First, as its core mandate, WHO provides technical support to the Ministry of Health. This has been for both national initiatives like the Integrated Home-Based Isolation and Management System. The innovative Covid-19 Vaccine Tracker and Smart Vaccination Certificate are also WHO joint collaboration with MOH and ICTA Sri Lanka.
This provides critical vaccination information for decision-makers as well as a globally accepted Smart Vaccine Certificate for outbound travellers. WHO also updates regularly on technical issues related to the pandemic from global experts, especially on Variants of Concern. Second, WHO has provided access to critical supplies for the pandemic response including personal protective equipment, rapid antigen tests and oxygen plants. And third, WHO has worked with development partners across all levels for coordinated assistance to Sri Lanka, notably on equitable access to vaccines through COVAX.
Q: What is your advice for the public?
Before Sri Lanka could completely come out of the Delta wave, Omicron, within weeks, is becoming the dominant variant. The fight isn’t over yet. WHO urges the public to listen to the science and do it all and do it better to protect yourselves and those around you:
- Support access to the third dose as a priority for at-risk friends and family - those over 60 and those immunocompromised/with comorbidities.
- Get vaccinated as soon as it’s your turn and follow local guidance on vaccination.
- Avoid the Three Cs: Crowded places, Close contact settings and Confined/enclosed places.
- Adhere to DReAM guidance on distancing, respiratory etiquette, aseptic techniques and masks.
- If you develop symptoms or test positive for Covid-19, self-isolate and consultant a doctor as soon as possible.
Q: Why should all of them take the Booster?
After two doses of vaccine, immunity wanes with time leaving reduced protection against severe disease. Therefore, it is important to get an additional dose to boost immunity with priority for older adults (those over 60) and those with compromised immune systems.
The evidence is building on this and, recently in the context of Omicron, five countries (United Kingdom, Denmark, Canada, South Africa, and USA) have contributed to the growing body of knowledge on vaccine effectiveness.
This includes evidence on four vaccines namely, Pfizer, Moderna, Johnson & Johnson and AstraZeneca. These studies found that vaccine effectiveness for Omicron remains greater than 50 percent after two doses of vaccines (or 1 dose in case of Johnson and Johnson) whereas a booster dose improves vaccine effectiveness to over 80 percent.
The science is clear: get the booster when it’s your turn to protect yourself, your family and your community.
Q: What are the latest research findings on the Omicron variant.
A: The Omicron variant has shown a growth advantage over Delta and is rapidly spreading in many parts of the world as we speak. Preliminary evidence suggests a potential shift in preference of the Omicron variant towards the upper respiratory tract. The Delta and the wild-type virus that showed a preference for the lower respiratory tract.
Several data sources on the Omicron variant (e.g., Denmark, South Africa, the United Kingdom, Canada and the USA) suggest that the risk of hospitalisation and requirement for mechanical ventilation are lower than for the Delta variant. However, even though it’s less severe than Delta, it is much more transmissible.
In the week ending 23 Jan 2022, 21.3 Million new cases were reported around the globe due to the Omicron wave - severalfold higher than the previous weeks.
The rapid increase in cases due to Omicron can very quickly overwhelm the health systems and jeopardize the hard-won battles during the pandemic. Omicron underscores the crucial importance of public health and social measures to counter transmission. There is further evidence that older adults and those with comorbidities continue to be most at risk. And studies also show that a third vaccination dose significantly increases protection against severe disease and illness.
Q: What are the government Bodies/ Ministries you are working closely within Sri Lanka when battling the deadly pandemic?
A: WHO is the United Nations’ specialized agency for health. It is an inter-governmental organisation that functions as a Secretariat for its Member States, through their Ministry of Health.
Following the ‘whole of government and whole of society’ approach in Sri Lanka and as relevant for the Covid-19 pandemic response, WHO has worked with other ministries, academic institutions, professional colleges, development partners and community-based organisations.