Corona really is a very dangerous disease. Even if not all of us are personally familiar with the virus, we are all affected by the serious consequences.
We were all the more shocked by the news we received recently from Hugo in South Africa. He has been infected with coronavirus for the second time and the course of the disease has been dramatic.
“I am currently recovering from a very serious COVID infection. I was on oxygen in hospital for nine days and lost 12 kg. Before I was admitted to hospital, I cycled 70 km, but after I was discharged I couldn’t even walk 100 meters … It was a re-infection. The first time I was asymptomatic and thought: “Should we close for something like this?” The second time in January 2021, I went through what I call “the COVID eye of the needle”.
It is a relief to know that there is now a vaccine that works. I would urge everyone to stop listening to all the fake news and rumors. We have a working vaccine from Johnson & Johnson that
- prevents 100% of deaths
- 85% of serious COVID illnesses prevented
- prevents mild COVID disease by 66%, overall effective in preventing moderate to severe COVID-19 disease 28 days after vaccination
- provides protection against severe disease across all regions, age groups and multiple virus variants, including the SARS-CoV-2 variant observed in South Africa.
It is a single-shot vaccination that is compatible with the standard distribution channels for vaccines and is an important tool in the event of a pandemic. South Africa will become an important production country for this vaccine through a cooperation between J&J and ASPEN. This is a great success for the supply of low- and middle-income countries.”
An optimistic, hands-on Hugo, who always keeps his head above water even in difficult times, impresses us once again. Vaccination is essential for survival. For each individual, for everyone.
