VACCINES WORK: DR SUKABULA
Vaccines work. Pray if you must. But for wisdom to discern the truth, the truth will set you free Fiji.
These were the words of Dr Qalo Sukabula, a Fijian general practitioner and emergency doctor based in Newman, Australia.
In a Q&A with the Fiji Sun, Dr Sukabula spoke about COVID-19 and the importance of being vaccinated.
Could you please explain THE SIGNIfiCANCE OF GETTING THE COVID-19 VACCINATION?
Dr Sukabula: Studies have shown that the vaccines significantly reduce the impact of the disease on the person affected. The risk of being admitted to hospitals is reduced as well as subsequent ICU admission is lowered. Your viral load is reduced and the risk of transmitting the virus reduces.
People still use religious GROUNDS TO NOT GET VACCINATED. WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE OUT TO PEOPLE ON THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING VACCINATED?
Dr Sukabula: I can’t speak on religious grounds. I am not sure about the non-Christian faiths but I do know that the Christian faiths in Fiji have supported vaccination from their denominational leaders. There are obviously differences of opinion and there are those that do know everything. But I can categorically say from a medical perspective that vaccines work. Get vaccinated Fiji!
COULD YOU PLEASE DESCRIBE WHAT A PATIENT GOES THROUGH WHEN THEY ARE COVID POSITIVE? HOW DOES IT AFFECT ONE?
Dr Sukabula: There are a range of symptoms from nothing to mild like a cold or flu to moderate to severe to critical. How this virus affects you depends on your pre-morbid condition. Your medical history. Your ability to fight this virus or any pathogens for that matter. It is now clear that this delta variant is highly transmissible and has ruthless effects.
WHAT ARE OTHER RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH PEOPLE’S HEALTH IF THEY REFUSE TO GET VACCINATED?
Dr Sukabula: The major risk will depend on your pre-morbid condition and how your immune system will be able to fight this. If you are healthy, your risk is low. But we are seeing younger people dying. Vaccinate Fiji! There are only so many ventilators.
IS IT SAFE TO GET THE VACCINE WHILE PREGNANT OR BREASTFEEDING/NURSING?
Dr Sukabula: US Studies have shown that pregnant women who got vaccinated not only passed on the antibodies to their babies but also were 20 times less likely to have serious side effects from covid-19. And here is data from Israel— pregnant women who were vaccinated, gave birth, and breastfed their babies, passed on the immunoglobulins to the virus to their babies, and these immunoglobulins were subsequently found to fight the Sars-cov-2 virus. These immunoglobulins are the body’s soldiers that fight infections. So pregnant women in Fiji need to be vaccinated.
Studies have shown that the vaccines significantly reduce the impact of the disease on the person affected. Dr Qalo Sukabula General practitioner, Australia
WHAT ARE THE CONSEQUENCES OF NOT REACHING HERD IMMUNITY?
Dr Sukabula: Disaster in one word and my Epidemiology colleagues will know better and can elaborate further. Please Fiji, do not repeat the experiences of the measles epidemic in 1875 and that of the Spanish flu in the 1920s. This time around, technology has helped us.