AT A time when a significant breakthrough to take on the deadly coronavirus is in sight, a survey among Indians over the use of COVID-19 vaccine has brought to fore some disturbing facts. Over 59 per cent Indians have showed skepticism over the vaccine and would not rush in to take it even if it is available in the near future. The skepticism is driven by a unknown fear for the dose, perhaps over the unproven efficacy on the affected patients. Clinical trials of the vaccine had some side-effects on certain candidates but those were aberrations that come along with different health conditions of the participants. The institutes conducting clinical trials have also dismissed it as unfounded fear. Yet, some elements in the society are prone to fall for a malicious propaganda just as a section kept dismissing the very existence of the coronavirus pandemic. The healthcare machinery needs to deal with the issue on priority basis as India is also likely to get its COVID-19 vaccine as early as February 2021. On the brighter side, the introduction of Pfizer vaccine in the United Kingdom would help in allaying the fears of the skeptics right in time when the Indian vaccine is ready for use.

 

 

VICTORY in the last One-Day International (ODI) against Australia, after losing the rubber 1-2, will instill positivism in the Indian team for the rest of engagements Down Under. The two losses before turning tables on the hosts in Canberra had come as a reality check for Virat Kohli and company as they hardly looked part of the contest. Now, with a good victory under their belt, India go into the Twenty20 series with a new confidence. The Canberra win might have come in a dead rubber but it brought into focus the character of the Indian players that was inexplicably missing despite good showing in the Indian Premier League (IPL). Young players like Thangarasu Natarajan showed good composure despite a high-pressure debut while Jasprit Bumrah was back to what he is capable of. There is no relieving sight for a Indian captain to see Bumrah finding his mojo and lighting up the stumps with amazing accuracy. India should capitalise on the gains and come out with a different strategy for the Twenty20 series instead of the dour ambling in the first two games. The comeback must be stretched longer.