LAB#:11

TITLE: VACCINE EFFECTIVENESS

AIM: To compare the vaccination rates between high and low-income countries, analyze
pandemic figures in Italy before and after the introduction of vaccines, and comment on
the impact of vaccines.

BACKGROUND THEORY: The novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is a highly

infectious respiratory illness caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus
2 (SARS-CoV-2). The disease was first identified in Wuhan, China, in December 2019
and has since spread globally, resulting in a pandemic.COVID-19 primarily spreads
through respiratory droplets that are released when an infected person talks, coughs, or
sneezes. The virus can also be spread by touching a surface or object contaminated with
the virus and then touching one's face. Common symptoms of COVID-19 include fever,
cough, shortness of breath, and loss of taste or smell. The severity of symptoms can range
from mild to severe, and some individuals may be asymptomatic.COVID-19 has had a
significant impact on global health and the economy. Governments and public health
organizations around the world have implemented various measures to control the spread
of the virus, including social distancing, wearing masks, and lockdowns. Vaccines have
also been developed to protect against COVID-19, and vaccination campaigns are
underway in many countries.
A vaccine is a biological preparation that is designed to stimulate an immune
response against a specific pathogen, such as a virus or bacterium. Vaccines work by
introducing a harmless form of the pathogen into the body, which allows the immune
system to recognize and respond to the pathogen if it is encountered again in the
future.Vaccines can be made in a variety of ways, but most vaccines contain either a
weakened or inactivated form of the pathogen, or a piece of the pathogen such as a
protein or a sugar molecule. When the vaccine is administered, the body's immune
system recognizes the pathogen as foreign and mounts an immune response against it.
This response includes the production of antibodies, which are proteins that specifically
recognize and bind to the pathogen. The antibodies can then either neutralize the
pathogen directly or signal other immune cells to destroy it.The immune response
generated by a vaccine can provide protection against a particular disease. If a person is
subsequently exposed to the pathogen, their immune system will recognize it and respond
more quickly and effectively, potentially preventing or reducing the severity of the
disease.Vaccines are an important tool in the prevention and control of infectious
diseases. They have been instrumental in eradicating or significantly reducing the
incidence of many diseases, such as polio, measles, and smallpox. Vaccination campaigns
are ongoing around the world to protect against various diseases, including COVID-19.

Vaccine equity refers to the fair and equitable distribution of vaccines to all individuals,
regardless of their geographic location, socioeconomic status, or other demographic
factors. It is important because access to vaccines is essential for controlling and
preventing the spread of infectious diseases and reducing morbidity and mortality.Vaccine
equity ensures that everyone has an equal opportunity to access and benefit from
vaccines, regardless of their race, ethnicity, income, education, or geographic location. It
helps to reduce disparities in health outcomes and promotes social justice.The COVID-19
pandemic has highlighted the importance of vaccine equity, as access to vaccines has
been limited in many parts of the world, particularly in low- and middle-income
countries. The lack of vaccine equity has contributed to unequal health outcomes,
increased mortality rates, and prolonged economic and social disruptions. Vaccine equity
can be promoted through various measures, such as increasing vaccine production,
providing funding and resources to low- and middle-income countries, supporting
vaccine distribution and administration infrastructure, and promoting vaccine education
and acceptance. These efforts can help to ensure that vaccines are distributed fairly and
efficiently, and that everyone has an opportunity to benefit from their protection.

APPARATUS: Raw data, calculator

METHOD:
1. Determine the percentage of vaccinated individuals in high and low-income
countries using the provided data.
2. Summarize the pandemic data in Italy by creating a table that displays the
observed and anticipated numbers of waves, the variant type, the duration of each
wave, the number of infected individuals, the number of fatalities, and the lethality
rate (%).
3. Develop a table that illustrates the projected pandemic data in Italy in the absence
of vaccine implementation.
RESULTS:

TABLE 1: Shows the percentage of individuals vaccinated in high and low-income

countries. In high-income countries such as Canada, Italy, Germany, France, the USA,
and Japan, the percentage of persons fully vaccinated ranges from 68.1% to 100%. On
the other hand, in low-income countries such as Haiti, Afghanistan, Kenya, Somalia,
Cameroon, and Chad, the percentage of persons fully vaccinated ranges from 0.3% to
35.3%.

RAW DATA

High-Income Countries Total Population Persons Fully

Vaccinated Persons Vaccinated (%)

Canada 38,388,419 31,670,249 82.5%

Italy 60,262,776 47,972,623 79.6%
Germany 83,883,596 63,502,243 75.7%
France 65,584,518 53,104,281 81%
USA 334,805,269 228,154,832 68.1%
Japan 102,961,975 102,961,975 100%

Low-Income Countries Total Population Persons Fully Vaccinated

Persons Vaccinated (%)

Haiti 11,680,283 36,678 0.3%

Afghanistan 40,754,388 10,517,707 25.8%
Kenya 56,215,221 10,641,225 18.9%
Somalia 16,841,795 5,938,186 35.3%
Cameroon 27,911,548 1,286,179 4.6%
Chad 17,413,580 3,621,866 20.8%
TABLE 2: Displays both observed and expected pandemic figures in Italy. The table
presents the wave number, variant type, duration in days, the number of infected
individuals, the number of deaths, and the lethality rate (%) for each wave. The observed
data shows that Italy experienced five waves, with the Delta/Omicron variant causing the
last wave, infecting over 11 million individuals and resulting in a relatively lower
lethality rate of 0.22%. Furthermore, the table shows the expected pandemic figures in
Italy if vaccines were not introduced. The table includes the wave number, variant type,
duration in days, the expected number of infected individuals, and deaths for each wave.
Based on these projections, the fourth wave would have been the deadliest, resulting in
over 19,000 deaths.

RAW DATA

Wave Variant Days Infected Persons Deaths Lethality Rate

(%)
1st Non-VOCs 147 1,526,561 32,739 2.14%
2nd Alpha 200 4,716,509 62,595 1.33%
3rd Alpha 139 2,800,141 28,596 1.02%
4th Delta 100 650,487 3,620 0.56%
5th Delta/Omicron 150 11,139,320 24,808 0.22%

Expected Pandemic Figures in Italy without Vaccines

Wave Variant Days Infected Persons’ Deaths

1st Non-VOCs 147 1,526,561 32,739
2nd Alpha 200 4,722,972 62,830
3rd Alpha 139 3,369,666 40,844
4th Delta 100 1,519,344 19,737
5th Delta/Omicron -- 19,135,912 110,298
CONCLUSION: High-income countries have been able to vaccinate their populations
against COVID-19 more quickly and efficiently than low- and middle-income countries
due to a variety of factors, including greater access to vaccines, more robust healthcare
systems, and greater financial resources.Because of their developed healthcare
infrastructure, resources, and funding, high-income countries are typically better
equipped to deal with public health crises. As a result, their vaccination rates are higher
than those of low-income countries. Vaccine availability and distribution are important
factors in determining vaccination rates, with high-income countries frequently having
better access to vaccines.
Furthermore, high-income countries typically have larger vaccination campaigns that are
better funded and have a higher level of public awareness. They have improved
communication and education programs to educate the public on the importance of
vaccination. Low-income countries, on the other hand, frequently face numerous
challenges, such as limited access to vaccines, inadequate healthcare infrastructure, and a
lack of resources and funding for public health initiatives. These factors make achieving
high vaccination rates more difficult.
Despite having higher vaccination rates, some high-income countries still face challenges
in vaccinating their populations due to vaccine hesitancy, misinformation, and other
factors. As a result, governments and health organizations around the world must
collaborate to address these issues and ensure equitable access to vaccines, regardless of
income level or geographic location.