Under the present Government, there have been changes in the U.S. vaccine program. Our Health Secretary is a longtime anti-vaccine activist. Thus, there were budget cuts, including pulling out of global initiatives. Obviously more changes are on the way. The American Medical Association, and other medical groups made a statement to keep vaccines against common respiratory ailments. I think we should be prepared for the next pandemic.
The COVID vaccine developed by scientists in a short time is a groundbreaking event, and it helped people to survive worldwide. Though there were incidents of vaccination related deaths or may have long term health impacts.
Much progress has taken place in the field of therapeutic cancer vaccines. Several therapeutic cancer vaccines have been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and are already in use for different cancers. For example, prostate, bladder and melanoma vaccines.
However, what I am thinking of a completely different idea of making vaccines to make civilized people. Are people uncivilized now?
Civilized people do not fight each other, do not kill each other. Civilized leaders do not start a war which initiates mass killing.
The world is gradually becoming unstable. There used to be two superpowers – the United States and the Soviet Union.
The United States is still united, but the Soviet Union broke down long back. The big piece wants to grow again. So, that piece, Russia, attacked Ukraine and increased uncertainty and unrest worldwide. The world’s stability was put to the test.
Thousands of people in Gaza are suffering because of Israel’s inhuman attitude. Kids are starving to death every day in Gaza. In this time kids die out of starvation!
Very recently, Thailand and Cambodia started a regional war because of their border dispute. The fear of using nuclear bombs is also increasing. A small poisonous country like North Korea continuously testing their ballistic missiles.
On the other hand, in Western Africa, for a long time, one coup after another. How many countries could be in the grip of famine? Hundreds of soldiers died in the shooting on the Armenia-Azerbaijan border in the past and still happens sometimes.
Bombs are still exploding in mosques in Afghanistan and Pakistan. Public hangings have begun again in Afghanistan.
What is civilization and civilized people? Fighting and killing while practicing religion is never desirable. Religion saves people. Human death should be left to the superior.
Nature is also gradually becoming intolerant. Just a few years ago, a hurricane in Florida caused billions of dollars in damage. Financial looting is increasing in various countries. But I have not heard of bribe-takers and money-launderers having heart attacks whereas good people die early.
I’m thinking differently. Vaccines are essential for people to remain civilized and honest.
Jiben Roy, a native of Bangladesh, is a retired chemistry and pharmaceutical sciences professor at Mississippi University for Women. He writes occasional columns in The Dispatch. His email address is [email protected].
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