Busting the Greek Letters: Vaccines can make us more than a scribe of genetic evolution

By Atty. Anfred P. Panes, LL.M.

(The author is the Founding Partner of A.Panes Law and Professorial Lecturer of the College of Law of the University of San Agustin)

Caveat: I am no vaccine expert but I believe in the works of science.

The Department of Health (DOH) reported that the total number of COVID-19 Delta variant now rose to 64 as of July 24, 2021. The most recent thereof have been tagged in Metro Manila and CALABARZON, both of which house a thick population density. It is not a far-fetch possibility that the rapid transmission rate of the Delta variant finds fertile grounds in these highly populated areas. In Western Visayas, contact tracing has not yet concluded the number of infected people with Delta. The other variants are now coming to a surge. The Alpha variant registered a total of 1,679 cases while the Beta variant marked a record of 1,840. Just recently, two new Theta cases have been detected in the country.  These new variants are reportedly more transmissible and even resistant to our immune response.

Thus, as people become more aware of the science behind the transmission and treatment of COVID-19, getting vaccinated is no longer an incipient awareness as the hard data of science by reputable health institutions and medical researches prove true that vaccines, of whatever brand platform, have been proven to effectively mitigate the risk of severe symptoms and hospitalization for critical care.

We are no stranger to the fact that our health care facilities are becoming more congested. Health care workers have been and continue to be overwhelmed in attending to the delicate situation of admitted COVID patients. Public and private institutions become more fallible. People have been reacting differently. Let this promise of herd immunity not only be heard but rather be achieved by the herd. Getting vaccinated protects not only one’s self but most importantly the vulnerable family members and the community.

With the trajectory of genetic mutation of this virus, the surge of new variants remains imminent which may potentially add up to the existing Greek letters in designating the variants. We are more than mere scribes of evolutionary genetics. We are far more resilient than our microscopic enemies.

Vaccines are no hoax. They are not born out of conspiracy theories. There is real science radiating diverse pragmatic results of its efficacy in preventing life threatening medical situations. However, the ultimate choice is one’s command over his mind as to what to do to his body. We cannot just arbitrarily impose our acquired knowledge over another person’s view of an unconventional reality. We still acknowledge the primacy of free will to this extent. While we do not discredit the conservative opinion of some people, it is but worth a sensible internalization as to what precautionary measures can we contribute to the global fight against COVID-19. Why? Because vaccines work – proven by science, witnessed by humanity.