Opinion

Race between vaccination and mutation of virus

Published

4 years ago

2021/07/12

The Covid-19 pandemic, globally, has developed into a race between vaccination of the world population and mutations of the virus into more dangerous strains. This, in a way, is a struggle for survival and a case of survival of the fittest. In the history of this planet Earth, such struggles have resulted in the total disappearance of species. In such struggles, human species have been successful in eliminating infectious microorganisms, like Small Pox, Polio, Measles, etc. But new bugs emerge, like HIV, Ebola, SARS, MRSA infections, etc. Mutations are part of the process of evolution of species and natural selection.

If there were no genetic mutations, there would be no life on earth. It is genetic mutations that survive that could produce variants and eventually new species. Out of thousands of mutations, it is a few that survive to produce new strains with new characteristics. And only a few of these characteristics would be capable of being useful for the survival of the organism. Some of these characteristics in microorganisms would be important for us from the health point of view. In the Covid-19 virus, it is mainly the changes in the spike protein of the virus that is of concern, for it is the structure that gives the ability to the virus to gain entry into cells of certain systems in the human body such as the respiratory system. Changes in the spike protein could make it more infectious and cause faster spread of the infection.

Viruses mutate at different frequencies. Some are fast and others are slow. Covid virus mutates slowly and accumulates about two changes per month. These are the stable changes that may assist the virus in its struggle for survival and help it to gain entry into host cells. When billions and billions of viruses in a global pandemic undergo mutations, and they have the potential of accumulating two stable changes per month, the chances of such changes being harmful to the host are high. This is a factor in the race between virus mutations and vaccination. Wider the spread and longer the virus lingers, greater is the chance of a virus victory. Faster the rate of vaccination of human beings worldwide, greater is the chance of a human victory.

Going by the recent picture emerging in countries like the UK, Singapore, Australia, etc., where new variants are gaining ground even though sufficient numbers are said to have been vaccinated, the virus seems to have the edge. This is because in other parts of the world sufficient numbers have not been vaccinated, and there is ample opportunity for the virus to replicate, increase its numbers and numbers of stable mutations and development of variants against which the presently available vaccines are less effective. This has happened in countries where the virus has had a free run, such as Brazil, South Africa, India and Peru.

The virus variants that emerged from these countries have been increasingly more infectious if not more lethal. As the numbers they could infect are greater, the number of deaths is also increased. The variants that have been tagged by WHO as Alpha, Beta, Delta and Lambda in that order are believed to have increased their ability to invade human beings. Whether they are more deadly has not been proved. Yet, their ability to spread much faster than their predecessors, pose a big threat to the vaccination process and creates a greater need for faster vaccination. Further, the successful vaccination in one part of the world does not make it safe for them as the picture unfolding at present shows. Even in Israel, where 80% vaccination was achieved very early, new variants are appearing. This is because, as the WHO Chief said, “no one is safe until everyone is safe”.

However, the good news is that some of the vaccines are proving to be more successful than expected. Particularly the mRNA vaccines like Pfizer are found to be more effective. They are proving to be as effective, if not more, in the real world as they were in clinical trials. For instance, Pfizer and also Moderna, which were expected to be 70-75% effective have been found to be 90-95% effective. It does not always go this way with vaccines. The construction of the mRNA vaccines involves a new technique, where part of the genome responsible for the development of the spike protein of the virus is carried in a harmless virus and used for the inoculation. This has been made possible due to diligent investment in molecular biology research for the last 40 years. These vaccines aim at the spike protein, while traditional vaccines like Sinopharm aim at the whole virus. The former appears to be more effective.

Effectiveness of the available vaccines against variants differs according to the type; but all of them are found to be effective in preventing serious illness and death. Pfizer and AstraZeneca vaccines are found to be 75% and 60% effective respectively, against the Brazil and South African variants in preventing the infection. They may be less effective against the Indian Delta and Peruvian Lambda. This shows that the Covid virus could gain the upper hand over vaccines when given the chance to undergo mutations.

The fact that several countries are lagging behind in the vaccination effort has to be viewed in this background. Though the US, the UK, Europe and other developed countries have succeeded in vaccinating more than 60% of their population, it is still only 8% of the global population that has received the jab. In 60 countries, less than 5% have been given the vaccine. If the emergence of variants totally resistant to vaccines is to be avoided, the global population has to be vaccinated in double quick time. Countries which have the capability of producing vaccines, but do not have the know-how to produce vaccines effective against Covid, should be given access to the technology. Now is not the time to hold on to patency rights. But it appears that the developed countries are driven by commercial considerations and not concerned with the safety of the world. They must realize that they too are in danger. The winner of the race between vaccination and mutation may be decided by what action the developed countries would take, to make available the vaccines to everybody in the world and how quickly that would happen.

N. A. de S. AMARATUNGA

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Opinion

LG polls, what a waste of money!

Published

3 days ago

2025/03/13

Sahan Weerasooriya

If the people of this country were asked whether they want elections to the local government, majority of them would say no! How many years have elapsed since the local councils became defunct? And did not the country function without these councils that were labelled as ‘white elephants’?

If the present government’s wish is to do the will of the people, they should reconsider having local government elections. This way the government will not only save a considerable amount of money on holding elections, but also save even a greater amount by not having to maintain these local councils, which have become a bane on the country’s economy.

One would hope that the country will be able to get rid of these local councils and revert back to the days of having competent Government Agents and a team of dedicated government officials been tasked with the responsibility of attending to the needs of the people in those areas.

M. Joseph A. Nihal Perera

Opinion

What not to do

Published

4 days ago

2025/03/12

Sahan Weerasooriya

Trump and Zelensky arguing in the White House

By Dr Upul Wijayawardhana

It is immaterial whether you like him or not but one thing is crystal clear; Donald Trump has shown, very clearly, who is the boss. Surely, presidents of two countries are equal; perhaps, that is the impression Volodymyr Zelensky had when he went to the White House to meet Trump but the hard reality, otherwise, would have dawned on him with his inglorious exit! True, the behaviour of President Trump and VP Vance were hardly praiseworthy but Zelensky did what exactly he should not do. Afterall, he was on a begging mission and beggars cannot be choosers! He behaved like professional beggars in Colombo who throw money back when you give a small amount!!

Despite the risk of belonging to the minority, perhaps of non-Americans, I must say that I quite like Trump and admire him as a straight-talking politician. He keeps to his words; however atrocious they sound! Unfortunately, most critics overlook the fact that what Trump is doing is exactly what he pledged during his election campaign and that the American voters elected him decisively. When he lost to Biden, all political commentators wrote him off, more so because of his refusal to admit defeat and non-condemnation of his supporters who rioted. When he announced his intention to contest, it only evoked pundits’ laughter as they concluded that the Republican Party would never nominate him. Undaunted, Trump got the party to rally round him and won a non-consecutive second term; a feat achieved only once before, by Grover Cleveland around the end of the nineteenth century. His victory, against all predictions, was more decisive as he got more collegiate votes and, even though it does not matter, won the popular vote too which he did not get when he got elected the first term. Even his bitterest critics should accept this fact.

Zelensky was elected the president of Ukraine after the elected pro-Soviet president was deposed by a ‘peoples revolution’ engineered by the EU with the support of USA. After this, the EU attempted to bring Ukraine to NATO, disregarding the Munich agreement which precipitated the Russian invasion. He should have realised that, if not for the air-defence system which Trump authorised for Ukraine during his first term, Russian invasion would have been complete. It may well be that he was not aware as when this happened Zelensky may still have been the comedian acting the part of the president! Very likely, Trump was referring to this when he accused Zelensky of being ungrateful.

Zelensky also should have remembered that he disregarded requests from Trump, after his defeat by Biden, to implicate Biden’s son in some shady deals in Ukraine and that one of the last acts of Biden was to pardon his son and grant immunity to cover the alleged period. Perhaps, actions of the European leaders who embrace him every time they see him, as a long-lost brother, and invitations to address their parliaments has induced an element of the superiority complex in Zelensky that he behaved so combative.

Trump wanted to be the mediator to stop the war and spoke to Putin first. Instead of waiting for Trump to speak to him, egged on by EU leaders Zelensky started criticising Trump for not involving him in the talks. His remark “He should be on our side” demonstrated clearly that Zelensky had not understood the role of a mediator. His lack of political experience was the major reason for the fiasco in the White House and the subsequent actions of Trump clearly showed Zelensky where he stands! PM Starmer and President Macron seem to have given some sensible advice and he seems to be eating humble pie. In the process Trump has ensured that the European nations pay for their defence than piggy-backing on the US, which I am sure would please the American voter. By the way, though Macron talks big about defence France spends less than 2% of GDP. Trump seems vindicated. Of course, Trump could be blamed for being undiplomatic but he can afford to be as he has the upper hand!

Ranil on Al Jazeera

Zelensky has shown what not to do: instead of being diplomatic being aggressive when you need favours! Meanwhile, Ranil has shown what not to do when it comes to TV interviews. God only knows who advised him, and why, for him to go ‘Head to Head’ with Mehdi Hasan on Al-Jazeera. Perhaps, he wanted to broadcast to the world that he was the saviour of Sri Lanka! The experienced politician he is, one would have expected Ranil to realise that he would be questioned about his role in making Sri Lanka bankrupt as well, in addition to raising other issues.

The interview itself was far from head to head; more likely heads to head! It turned out to be an inquisition by Tiger supporters and the only person who spoke sense being Niraj Deva, who demonstrated his maturity by being involved in British and EU politics. The worst was the compere who seems keen to listen his own voice, reminding me of a Sinhala interviewer on a YouTube channel whose interviews I have stopped watching!

Ranil claims, after the interview was broadcast, that it had been heavily edited reduced from a two-hour recording. Surely, despite whatever reason he agreed to, he should have laid ground rules. He could have insisted on unedited broadcast or his approval before broadcast, if it was edited. It was very naïve of Ranil to have walked in to a trap for no gain. Though his performance was not as bad as widely reported, he should have been more composed at the beginning as he turned out to be later. Overall, he gave another opportunity for the Tiger rump and its supporters to bash Sri Lanka, unfortunately.

Medhi Hasan should watch some of David Frost interviews, especially the one with Richard Nixon, and learn how to elicit crucial information in a gentle exploratory manner than shouting with repeated interruptions. He does not seem to think it is necessary to give time for the interviewee to respond to his questions. I will never watch Al-Jazeera’s “Head to Head” again!

Ranil’s best was his parting shot; when asked by Hasan whether he would contest the next presidential election, he said “No, I will retire and watch Al-Jazeera and hope to see you better mannered”!

Opinion

Ajahn Brahm to visit SL in May 2025

Published

5 days ago

2025/03/11

Sahan Weerasooriya

The Ajahn Brahm Society of Sri Lanka (ABSSL) is pleased to announce that Ajahn Brahm will be visiting Sri Lanka for a short stay in May this year. Many, both Buddhists and non-Buddhists, know him and have listened to his addresses made on earlier visits, including his 2023 public talk at the BMICH, which was attended by over 4,000 people.

Ajahn Brahmavamso, popularly known as Ajahn Brahm, is the Head Abbot of Bodhinyana Monastery in Serpentine, Perth. He was a pupil of the famous Thai forest monk Ajahn Chah, considered the best Theravada meditation teacher in the last century. By his own choice, Ajahn Brahmavamso shortened his name and was extra pleased that the initials represent the major religions of the world. He is renowned world-wide as an outstanding meditation bhikkhu, teacher and instructor, guiding thousands of practitioners.

As in previous visits, Ajahn Brahm’s schedule will be packed with addresses, meetings with senior professionals, business leaders, and researchers. This year, a special session has been included for teenagers and young adults.

The agenda planned for him includes:

Public address at the BMICH to all irrespective of religion and age; then to a younger audience.

· Exclusive Leadership Forum for senior professionals and business leaders.

· Forum with academics engaged in research at the Centre for Meditation Research, University of Colombo.

· A week-long meditation retreat for the Ven Sangha and experienced lay meditators.

Public Addresses

The public addresses will be on Sunday, May 18, 2025, from 7:00 am to 11:00 am, at the BMICH Main Hall and Sirimavo Halls; Ajahn Brahm moving from one hall to another so the entire audience sees him. Each hall will be well equipped with audio and video presentation. The first address: The Art of Meaningful Living, is designed for all, age notwithstanding, offering wisdom and practical insights for a fulfilling life. The second: Coping with Life Transitions and Emotional Challenges, is a special session tailored for teens and young adults, addressing key challenges faced by them in today’s fast-paced, competitive world. Both talks will be in English, with concise translation to Sinhala by Ven Damita Thera.

Exclusive Forums

On Saturday, May 17, 2025, two exclusive forums will be held at the BMICH Committee Room, Jasmine Hall. The first such session will be with eighty invited Sri Lankan academics and scientists engaged in research on meditation at the Centre for Meditation Research of the University of Colombo. This will be followed in the evening by an interactive session for a hundred invited senior professionals and business leaders, featuring a talk on leadership followed by a Q&A session.

Meditation Retreat

The most significant item on Ajahn Brahm’s programme will be a week-long meditation retreat at the Barberyn Waves Ayurveda Resort in Weligama. Focus is intended to be on the fifty members of the Ven Sangha. A limited number of experienced lay meditators will also have the opportunity to participate.

Participation & Registration

Those interested in attending the public talks at the BMICH are kindly advised to register at to secure free passes. For further information, please contact the Ajahn Brahm Society of Sri Lanka at .