Virologist: other countries get vaccinated and we’ll wait three to four years for the pandemic to end by itself

Vaccinations against COVID-19. Still too few Poles declare their willingness to vaccinate in order to be able to achieve herd immunity. Research shows that such readiness is expressed only by 50-60 percent. adult Poles, and in order to be able to stop the pandemic, this percentage should be from 70 to 80 percent. – Poles are among the largest opponents of vaccination in Europe and we will bear the consequences, both now and later – says Dr. Tomasz Dzieiątkowski, virologist from the Chair and Department of Medical Microbiology of the Medical University of Warsaw.

1. By April 12, 7,6 million vaccinations were performed in Poland. 5,5 million Poles received at least one dose
2. Although the vaccination rate increased significantly in April, there is still a long way to go to obtain the herd immunity necessary to combat the coronavirus pandemic
3. Readiness for vaccination is expressed by only 50-60 percent. Poles surveyed
4. We are dealing with extreme social irresponsibility, or to put it simply – stupidity – assesses these numbers by Dr. Tomasz Dziecistkowski
5. People should see for themselves the necessity of these vaccinations, not their compulsion. But apparently the latest data on infections and victims are not enough for some, or – sorry for the bluntness – they are delighted with blood and the sight of dead bodies in the streets – adds the virologist
6. You can find more up-to-date information on the coronavirus on the Onet homepage

We do not want to vaccinate and we will suffer the consequences

Business Insider published research by the University of Warsaw and the Grape center, which show that still too small group of Poles want to be vaccinated in order to be able to develop herd immunity in the society. The same results from regular research conducted by the research agency Inquiry. The willingness to vaccinate is expressed by slightly more than 50%, in the study from April 7 it was 54%.

This is far too little to think about herd immunity. According to experts, in order to be able to fight the coronavirus pandemic, 70-80 percent should be vaccinated. adult Poles.

«If it is not possible to vaccinate 70 percent. people out of 38 million Poles, then the disease will accompany us all the time »- said the director of the Military Medical Institute in Warsaw, gen. prof. Grzegorz Gielerak.

Adrian Dąbek, MedTvoiLokony: The latest research, as well as the earlier ones, show that still too few Poles express their readiness for vaccinations so that we can obtain herd immunity.

Dr hab. Tomasz Dzieiątkowski: I’m not really surprised by this. Unfortunately, Poles are among the largest vaccination contestants in Europe and we will suffer the consequences, both now and later.

What can we do to make it better?

In fact, you should go back to the basics. Increase the popular science and educational activity at the level of both primary and secondary school. It is really all out of ignorance. Most of the opinions that you see especially on social media are made by dilettante and laymen who are able to believe any fake news that appears on the web.

Even the most recent dramatic data on infections and deaths do not appeal to the imagination.

Apparently not. We are dealing with extreme social irresponsibility, or to put it simply – stupidity. It’s a grim vision. There is little we can do about it, because a lot also results from the lack of a coherent information policy of the government. The opinions expressed by the government are inconsistent and often contradictory. So the truth is, people don’t know what to believe and who to trust. In addition, there is also low trust in the government. All of this translates into public health issues.

1. One quarter of Poles do not want to be vaccinated against COVID-19. We have the results of the poll

You may not trust the government, but nevertheless taking care of your own health should come first.

We still have a large percentage of people who do not believe that we are having a coronavirus pandemic or that we have a problem with the efficiency of the healthcare system. People do not care about other people’s health, because in fact all non-pharmacological methods serve to protect other people, not necessarily us. The social responsibility of Poles is extremely low.

Perhaps some people are fond of blood and the sight of dead bodies in the streets

Perhaps we should introduce a statutory obligation to vaccinate against COVID-19?

This would require an amendment to the entire act. At the moment, we only have mandatory vaccinations for children and adolescents. Introducing compulsory vaccinations for adults would require changes not only in the ordinances of the minister of health, but also in the constitution. So there would be a problem with that. People should see for themselves the necessity of these vaccinations, not their compulsion. But apparently the latest data on infections and victims is not enough for some, or – sorry for the bluntness – they are fancy of blood and the sight of dead bodies in the streets. Of course, I hope it doesn’t come to that. It should also be remembered that for various reasons, but also because of a pandemic, the Polish health care system, and not only the Polish one, is on the verge of collapse and this may have significant repercussions, even if the average gray Kowalski, who is a vaccine opponent, breaks leg. It may turn out that the orthopedic ward where he would have the one put in the cast will be transformed into a covid ward, so no one will take it, or worse, the medical staff that was supposed to provide it will deal with COVID or will be on their own. dismissal.

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And it will be the fault of the system, of course, but not that I have done nothing to reduce the threat.

I have been repeating this for a year, that the more responsible we are and act to the benefit of everyone, not only for ourselves but also for others, the easier it will be for us to overcome the pandemic. If not, then unfortunately we will have to wait, at least in our joyful country, for it to slowly fade away by itself. Practically all the pandemics that have happened so far would expire on their own after three or four years, but of course it would be worthwhile to do so as soon as possible.

Other countries will fight the pandemic, with us it will remain at a high level

And yet it could be accelerated. I will get vaccinated, it will be easier to go on vacation, it will also be easier with other things.

Apparently that doesn’t appeal to these people. I can say from the point of view of the double vaccinated person who has the opportunity to meet other double vaccinated persons. We maintain a social distance, but we have the comfort, especially in the open space, that there is limited transmission of the virus and therefore, theoretically, masks could be removed. It is definitely nicer – being able to contact people you have, I will not say certain, but at least a good chance that they do not transmit the virus.

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How to make more such people?

There is apparently no easy way to do this in Poland. I will also refer to other vaccinations, such as flu vaccinations or HPV vaccinations. This type of research was carried out in the United Kingdom, and it turned out that Polish immigrants were at the forefront of refusing voluntary vaccinations at the expense of the British health care system. There is no reason to be proud of it, it is, in my opinion, a reason for special reflection.

So other countries will get vaccinated and deal with the pandemic, and here …

It may turn out that in other countries the pandemic will be reversing, and in our country it will still be at a high level, as in the third world countries. So I hope that people in Poland will finally come to their senses. But my hope diminishes as time goes on.

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