3 Questions about COVID-19 Vaccine

Dr. Samir Kaddar answers three questions about the COVID-19 vaccine

Dr. Samir Kaddar, president of the non-governmental organization “C3M”, which is based in Brussels and includes more than 500 competent Moroccans around the world, expresses his view on vaccination against the Coronavirus, Morocco’s strategy in this field, and the increase of conspiracy theories and false news.

Do you think that the vaccine for Covid-19 will put an end to the epidemic?

Covid-19 is a fairly new virus that we do not know much about. In the absence of drugs (antivirals, antibiotics …) against this virus, the vaccine remains our only effective option to counter its spread.

Thanks to the huge funds and investments, many pharmaceutical laboratories have been engaged in the race to obtain a vaccine against “Covid-19”, which is considered a hope to reduce the number of cases and deaths as well as avoid the economic recession.

However, it should be known that a vaccine, even if it is highly effective, does not guarantee immunity to the virus overnight, especially for vulnerable people, those with chronic disease, or those with congenital immunodeficiency.

From this standpoint, we must not lower our level of caution. So, we must continue respecting preventive health measures (social distancing, hand hygiene, wearing a protective mask …) for several weeks.

What is your assessment of the vaccination process against the Coronavirus announced by Morocco?

Morocco was the first country in the world to launch an intensive vaccination campaign against the Coronavirus, thanks to the enlightened vision of His Majesty King Mohammed VI. This process reflects the royal concern to protect citizens’ health and the right to life.

This had to do with a vision for a future that aims to put an end to the health crisis and to ensure economic take-off after this difficult period.

It is a great hope that Morocco will be able to control the spread of the virus thanks to this national vaccination process and to support its economy as well as various other sectors paralyzed by the pandemic.

We also welcome the announcement of the creation of a platform for the production of high-tech vaccines in Tangiers, in order to ensure that vaccines are provided to Sub-Saharan Africa and the Maghreb, as soon as Morocco has achieved self-sufficiency in vaccine production.

This platform, which will also enable the development of “Made in Morocco” vaccines, falls within the framework of the Kingdom’s policy aimed at strengthening its African roots and helping its partners on the continent to combat the epidemic.

What do you think of those who insist on doubting the safety of the Coronavirus vaccine?

Unfortunately, the Coronavirus epidemic has led to an increase in conspiracy theories and fake news. The virus is very dangerous, because it is highly contagious and transmits very quickly, and also because in some cases it infects patients with severe forms of infection which can lead to death. Despite all of this, there are still people who either deny its existence or downplay its severity.

On the other hand, skeptics of the vaccine began, recently, to question the effectiveness of the vaccine and express their concerns about its potentially harmful side effects.

I would like to say to these people that we must show collective responsibility and trust in the measures taken by the authorities and scientific committees, in order to succeed in the vaccination process and overcome this health crisis.

I would also like to clarify that these vaccines have been developed by qualified doctors and scientists and can only be given after a series of clinical trials and tests that prove their safety.

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