Sakshi Education
By Srirangam Sriram, Sriram's IAS, New Delhi.
In the context of the Covid-19 pandemic, social vaccine was advocated. It came up in the context of the deaths and destruction wrought by the pandemic and there being no vaccine to prevent. The measures advocated in the form of — strict adherence to norms of physical distancing, hand hygiene and using mask/face covers
— were called social vaccines as it would prevent the disease to a great extent. This ‘social vaccine’ will ensure that the medical and healthcare system of the country does not get overwhelmed. It will also help in slowing the spread of the disease.
The same term is used in the case of other diseases like Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). There is no vaccine to cure AIDS. Until a cure or vaccine for HIV infection is found, the only way to prevent the spread of the disease is by changing people's behaviour through AIDS education programmes. Many national governments are using broadcast, print media, personal contact, counselling methods, etc., to educate people on AIDS and safer sex. Thus, the best vaccine is the 'Social Vaccine.'
Social vaccine involves spreading education on how to protect oneself, hundred percent condom use, and changing sexual behaviour.
Truck drivers, prostitutes, and young adults are considered high risk groups for HIV/AIDS in India. Different strategies, namely mass media, personal contact, group discussion, folk media, and counselling, were adopted to provide AIDS education, to encourage increase in condom use for safer sex, and bring changes in their sexual behaviour. It greatly enhanced the knowledge of the truck drivers on AIDS, changed their attitudes on sex, increased the use of condoms, and modified their sexual behaviour. Thus, the social vaccine helped to prevent the AIDS scourge throughout the world.
Examples provided for the effects of social vaccines are: restoring land ownership to Indigenous peoples, regulating the advertising of harmful products and progressive taxation for universal social protection. Social vaccines require more research to improve understanding of social and political processes that are likely to improve health equity worldwide. The vaccine metaphor should be helpful in arguing for increased action on the social determinants of health.
The above clearly shows that in terms of responsible civic behaviour, education, appropriate fiscal policies and equity, the social vaccine is an ethical way to prevent the disease.
— were called social vaccines as it would prevent the disease to a great extent. This ‘social vaccine’ will ensure that the medical and healthcare system of the country does not get overwhelmed. It will also help in slowing the spread of the disease.
The same term is used in the case of other diseases like Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). There is no vaccine to cure AIDS. Until a cure or vaccine for HIV infection is found, the only way to prevent the spread of the disease is by changing people's behaviour through AIDS education programmes. Many national governments are using broadcast, print media, personal contact, counselling methods, etc., to educate people on AIDS and safer sex. Thus, the best vaccine is the 'Social Vaccine.'
Social vaccine involves spreading education on how to protect oneself, hundred percent condom use, and changing sexual behaviour.
Truck drivers, prostitutes, and young adults are considered high risk groups for HIV/AIDS in India. Different strategies, namely mass media, personal contact, group discussion, folk media, and counselling, were adopted to provide AIDS education, to encourage increase in condom use for safer sex, and bring changes in their sexual behaviour. It greatly enhanced the knowledge of the truck drivers on AIDS, changed their attitudes on sex, increased the use of condoms, and modified their sexual behaviour. Thus, the social vaccine helped to prevent the AIDS scourge throughout the world.
Examples provided for the effects of social vaccines are: restoring land ownership to Indigenous peoples, regulating the advertising of harmful products and progressive taxation for universal social protection. Social vaccines require more research to improve understanding of social and political processes that are likely to improve health equity worldwide. The vaccine metaphor should be helpful in arguing for increased action on the social determinants of health.
The above clearly shows that in terms of responsible civic behaviour, education, appropriate fiscal policies and equity, the social vaccine is an ethical way to prevent the disease.
Published date : 05 Jan 2021 05:40PM
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