In the world that is seemingly in complete disarray, there is no comparing how effectively Bhutan has handled the Covid-19 pandemic. That’s why various countries and organisations are coming forward to give Bhutan vaccines even as they require them much more than we do.

The vaccine politics has heightened; it will only get worse in coming days and months.  Meanwhile, Bhutan has experienced the second Covid-19 death. The whole debate must be understood in this new context.

An 82-year-old woman from Gomtu in Samtse died yesterday. Strictly, in medical sense, she did not die of Covid-19. She had underlying medical conditions which made medical interventions difficult.

To the family of the deceased, we offer our prayers and sincere condolences. In these difficult times, we are the mirrors of the society we co-create and co-inhabit—often we give too little because what comes down on us is overly painful.

That said, the real debate has to be brought to the fore. At a time when a majority of Bhutanese people are asking whether they should get a jab or which vaccine they must get, a clear-cut advisory is in short supply.

But there is science to tell us that vaccination is important to protect ourselves from this menacing scourge. What is unhealthy is the information that is coming out about the vaccines. Logically, if two vaccines work wonderfully fine individually to protect ourselves from the virus that has caused so much disruption in societies across the world, why is mixing  a danger?

The vaccine politics has been raging and it will only get worse, unfortunately. What is important is that we make sure that we get them from the vial to the arm sooner than later. The good news is that we now have pretty much enough vaccines for the whole population, thanks to our friends who found it in their hearts the need to support their small and true friend.

Having come thus far in the battle against the Covid-19, the question is no longer whether we should take the jab or about choosing among the many vaccines from different laboratories that are all WHO certified. Really, the time has come to choose any to protect ourselves against the deadly virus.

The virus will continue to evolve; we are already hearing about a new variant whose danger we do not yet know. The shot we take this time, whatever vaccine we choose to take, will not be enough. That’s the fact, but we will have boosted our resilience against the virus significantly. That’s what matters more than anything now as we tread these uncertain paths.

Bhutan has 2,380 Covid-19 positive cases. It’s small looking from the global perspective but huge seen from the local lens. No one has died by getting a jab in his or her arm. In fact, the reverse is true. We all have underlying health conditions in these awesomely affluent times which make fighting Covid-19 that much more difficult.

The reason to get a shot in the arm so is more compelling. Now’s the time to get yourself vaccinated: Go get it!

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