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Letters | Hong Kong Covid vaccines drive: fear a stronger motivator than hopes of herd immunity
- Herd immunity is too intellectual and altruistic a reason to get vaccinated for many Hongkongers
- A more compelling reminder is that the novel coronavirus is deadly and can cause long-term physical damage to survivors
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Why you can trust SCMP
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The main reason Hongkongers hear that they should get vaccinated against Covid-19 – so herd immunity can develop – is too intellectual and altruistic to spur everyone towards vaccination centres. Other reasons such as getting vaccinated so one can travel, be able to eat in a restaurant in a larger group or not be subject to frequent testing are not convincing or dire enough to have the desired effect.
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It is therefore very important to emphasise the most compelling of reasons, which is that one who catches this virus could die or permanently suffer from low lung capacity or other organ damage. One’s spouse and other household members could also become infected and meet a similar long-term fate or worse.
It is worth reminding everyone that there is no drug available to kill this virus and that, despite all the medical advancements of the 21st century, one still relies on the body’s natural immune system to fight the virus. It will help to point out that this disease has already created millions of weeping orphans, spouses, parents and loved ones around the world.
There is a chance this might wake up the slumbering populace of this city to appreciate that the government is providing free vaccines and the luxury to choose between two different varieties. In short, the message should be to get vaccinated not for the greater good of the community but for one’s own protection. Herd immunity is simply a secondary benefit once a large section of people become primarily protected.
Dr. Sutinder Bindra, Discovery Bay
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