A Simulation of Communicable Disease and Herd Immunity for the Microbiology Classroom or Laboratory

Introduction: Islam views life as a sacred entity that sanctioned utmost protection according to the Objective of Syariah (Maqasid Syariah). Immunization has historically and epidemiologically proven to safeguard human life (hifzun nafs) from life threatening communicable disease. Recent development witnesses increasing vaccine refusal and hesitancy (VHR) which would jeopardize global immunization effort and its desired noble outcome. Hence there is proposal from various party for the Ministry of Health to enact a mandatory immunization policy. This study aims to analyze mandatory immunization policy by governing rulers from Islamic perspective.Methods: This is a qualitative study. Document analysis from Islamic jurisprudence (fiqh) references including some literature on Maqasid Syariah, Qawaid Fiqhiyyah and Siayah Syariah perspective. Interviews with expert from both Islamic scholars and clinicians was conducted.Results: The study recognizes that mass immunization to achieve herd immunity is considered communal obligation (fardhu kifayah). Islamic legal principles such as consideration of public interest (Masalih Mursalah) and blocking evil means (Sadd -az-Zaraie) as well as legal maxim (Qawaid Fiqhiyyah) to prevent harm (darar) would serve as basis to support this policy. The contemporary Islamic jurisprudence approach such as weighting preference (fiqh muwazanat) and considering implications (fiqh ma’alat) may justify the ruler’s action to enact mandatory immunization as in accordance with the principle of Siyasah Syariyyah that the rulers must safeguard the wellbeing of whole community.Conclusion: This study may serve as preliminary paper and reference to respective authorit y and policy makers on Islamic perspective towards mandatory immunization policy.International Journal of Human and Health Sciences Supplementary Issue: 2019 Page: 34

Download Full-text

Communicable Disease

10.1093/oso/9780192844057.003.0010 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 205-233

Author(s):

James Wilson

Keyword(s):

Natural Selection ◽

Case Studies ◽

Communicable Disease ◽

Herd Immunity ◽

Public Trust ◽

Ecological Perspective ◽

Drug Resistant ◽

Vaccination Policy ◽

Disease Eradication ◽

Causal Complexity

This chapter examines the idea of contagion—of risk magnification and modulation through networks. The chapter examines three case studies, each of which raises different questions about the interplay of causal complexity, performativity, and policymaking: vaccination policy, drug resistant infections, and disease eradication. In vaccination policy, achieving herd immunity is often crucial, but attempts to do this are heavily dependent on public trust. Drug resistant infections arise, among other causes, through the inevitable impact of natural selection, and so require a shift towards an ecological perspective on disease. Finally, the possibility of disease eradication poses important questions about when and how to ensure that susceptible health threats are systematically and permanently removed from the environment.

Download Full-text

COVID-19 Epidemic in Malaysia: Epidemic Progression, Challenges, and Response

Frontiers in Public Health ◽

10.3389/fpubh.2021.560592 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 ◽

Author(s):

Jamal Hisham Hashim ◽

Mohammad Adam Adman ◽

Zailina Hashim ◽

Mohd Firdaus Mohd Radi ◽

Soo Chen Kwan

Keyword(s):

Communicable Disease ◽

Heart Diseases ◽

Nipah Virus ◽

Herd Immunity ◽

Case Fatality ◽

Movement Control ◽

Vulnerable Groups ◽

Contact Tracing ◽

Successful Implementation ◽

Hospital System

COVID-19 pandemic is the greatest communicable disease outbreak to have hit Malaysia since the 1918 Spanish Flu which killed 34,644 people or 1% of the population of the then British Malaya. In 1999, the Nipah virus outbreak killed 105 Malaysians, while the SARS outbreak of 2003 claimed only 2 lives. The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has so far claimed over 100 Malaysian lives. There were two waves of the COVID-19 cases in Malaysia. First wave of 22 cases occurred from January 25 to February 15 with no death and full recovery of all cases. The ongoing second wave, which commenced on February 27, presented cases in several clusters, the biggest of which was the Sri Petaling Tabligh cluster with an infection rate of 6.5%, and making up 47% of all cases in Malaysia. Subsequently, other clusters appeared from local mass gatherings and imported cases of Malaysians returning from overseas. Healthcare workers carry high risks of infection due to the daily exposure and management of COVID-19 in the hospitals. However, 70% of them were infected through community transmission and not while handling patients. In vulnerable groups, the incidence of COVID-19 cases was highest among the age group 55 to 64 years. In terms of fatalities, 63% were reported to be aged above 60 years, and 81% had chronic comorbidities such as diabetes, hypertension, and heart diseases. The predominant COVID-19 strain in Malaysia is strain B, which is found exclusively in East Asia. However, strain A, which is mostly found in the USA and Australia, and strain C in Europe were also present. To contain the epidemic, Malaysia implemented a Movement Control Order (MCO) beginning on March 18 in 4 phases over 2 months, ending on May 12. In terms of economic impacts, Malaysia lost RM2.4 billion a day during the MCO period, with an accumulated loss of RM63 billion up to the end of April. Since May 4, Malaysia has relaxed the MCO and opened up its economic sector to relieve its economic burden. Currently, the best approach to achieving herd immunity to COVID-19 is through vaccination rather than by acquiring it naturally. There are at least two candidate vaccines which have reached the final stage of human clinical trials. Malaysia's COVID-19 case fatality rate is lower than what it is globally; this is due to the successful implementation of early preparedness and planning, the public health and hospital system, comprehensive contact tracing, active case detection, and a strict enhanced MCO.

Download Full-text

Critical concepts for COVID-19 Mass Vaccination Site Operations

Disaster Medicine and Public Health Preparedness ◽

10.1017/dmp.2021.319 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-24

Author(s):

Scott A. Goldberg ◽

David Callaway ◽

Daniel Resnick-Ault ◽

Sujal Mandavia ◽

Rodrigo Martinez ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

Inventory Management ◽

Communicable Disease ◽

Vaccination Campaign ◽

Herd Immunity ◽

The United States ◽

Mass Vaccination ◽

Lessons Learned ◽

Vaccination Site ◽

The Impact

Abstract Mass vaccination campaigns have been used effectively to limit the impact of communicable disease on public health. However, the scale of the COVID19 vaccination campaign is unprecedented. Mass vaccination sites consolidate resources and experience into a single entity and are essential to achieving community (“herd”) immunity rapidly, efficiently, and equitably. Healthcare systems, local and regional public health entities, emergency medical services, and private organizations can rapidly come together to solve problems and achieve success. As medical directors at several mass vaccination site across the United States, we describe key mass vaccination site concepts including site selection, operational models, patient flow, inventory management, staffing, technology, reporting, medical oversight, communication, and equity. Lessons learned from experience operating a diverse group of mass vaccination sites will help to inform not only sites operating during the current pandemic but may serve as a blueprint for future outbreaks of highly infectious communicable disease.

Download Full-text