Vaccines for all

Omicron has become the biggest threat to international stability, although experts explain that its viral load is lower and causes less damage. But the speed and ease of transmission is putting the whole world on edge. In Europe, France, Italy, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom are experiencing record daily infections. In Spain, this Monday we will know very worrying data on the expansion of the sixth wave of a virus that has been conditioning the lives of millions of people around the world and hitting the economy and employment hard. The data that became known this Sunday was shocking: 5,000 flights had been cancelled in the world on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, affecting thousands of people who have not been able to travel as they wished or needed.

The closure of shops, nightlife and the hotel and catering industry is the most common solution in different countries, but it should be pointed out that these sectors are paying the price for a badly planned situation in which too many political leaders have been overly triumphalist in lowering security measures. And where we citizens must demand an effort of personal and collective responsibility when it comes to tackling the fight against the virus.

It is extremely difficult to reconcile the measures needed to deal with the new variant of the virus with the imperative reality of not shutting down the economy so as not to destroy jobs. The pandemic has been going on for two years now, we thought that victory was within reach and suddenly a new variant of the virus has emerged, reminding us with all its harsh reality that until everyone is vaccinated, that is to say at least 85% of all the inhabitants of this blessed planet called Earth, we will not be in a position to think that, at least, the coronavirus has become part of our lives, like the flu virus, and that we have the means to keep it under control.

Vaccines are still the solution, but only if the majority of the population in all countries, be they European, American, African, Asian or Oceanian, are vaccinated. Logistically it is complicated, it has high costs, no doubt, but the damage caused by the emergence of new variants is much higher in human lives, physical and mental sequelae, psychosis with tests and in the economies and employment of all countries. And something that has already emerged, in the confidence of citizens, and in the credibility of decision-makers. It is not only the naysayers who must be convinced of the need for vaccination, but all of us in our daily lives must hold the virus in high regard.