Will Vaccinations Meant for Mainstream Humans Suit the Endangered Tribal Population, Remains a Question
Port Blair, Feb 1: After the Ang tribe (Jarawas) suffered from the outbreak of Malaria few years ago, it was only the Onge population and the Sentinelese who were spared from this modern diseases till now. In a report collected from sources, it is learnt that one female among the Onge tribe was detected with malaria recently.
Geetai, around 35, a female member of the Onge tribe was rushed to the Primary Health Centre, RK Pur on 7th January 2021 after she suffered from fever. She was immediately referred to the GB Pant Hospital, Port Blair and was diagnosed with Malaria. After more than twenty days of treatment, Geetai finally returned home the 29th of January. This is the first ever case of Malaria which has been reported among the Onge tribe, and has raised eyebrows.
With the world trying to overcome the COVID-19 Pandemic by developing and administering vaccinations to the mainstream populations, experts in the field of anthropology seem sceptical, when it comes to administering vaccines to the Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Communities.
An expert on condition of anonymity said that we do not have complete information about the generic profile of tribes who are more than 75 lakh years old. It still remains un-researched. We are sceptical as to how the COVID-19 vaccine would affect their ancient old genomic system.
While experts remain sceptical about administering the COVID-19 vaccine to the PVTGs, the first case of Malaria among the Onge population is an alarm signal, which has to be dealt with utmost caution and care.