A YEAR has passed since our nation imposed the lockdown aimed to contain the spread of Covid-19. Lockdown, or large-scale physical distancing measures and movement restrictions, has been and still is the first strategy of disease containment.

Vaccines are now rolled out and that constitutes our second strategy to help achieve herd immunity. A possible third strategy, no less important but often overlooked, is the emphasis of immune-boosting measures among the populace.  

Herd immunity is a concept of indirect protection from the infectious disease. It is estimated that when 70% to 80% of the populace is immune either through vaccination or immunity developed through previous infection, herd immunity can be achieved. Curtailing the virus’ spread when more and more people are immune will hopefully force the epidemic to die a natural death.

The World Health Organisation has estimated, from the data of seroprevalence studies, 10% of the world’s population has been infected with Covid-19. That estimate was in October 2020. Assuming that one infected person further infects 2.5 persons (also an estimate by WHO), by now, more than 35% would have been infected globally.

Statistics show that 99.6% of those infected with Covid-19 survived, while 0.4%, mostly the elderly with comorbidities, succumbed to the infection. About 30% of those infected were asymptomatic.

The current trend shows the infectivity rate here and globally is on the decline. R naught has been less than one for the past one and half months. A question arises if letting the pandemic run its natural course may also be an additional strategy.

The arrival of the anti-Covid-19 vaccines with their claimed efficacies and strong media support has given high hopes for the eradication of SARS-CoV-12, the virus that causes Covid-19.

With these new types of vaccines still being experimental and approved under emergency use authorisation, risk of long-term unanticipated side effects unknown, no evidence that the vaccines can completely stop people from being infected, and the uncertainties about the efficacy of vaccines against mutated forms of viruses; it would be prudent to not put all eggs in one basket, and expand the strategies to overcome the scourge of the pandemic.

To complement existing strategies of physical distancing, movement restriction and vaccination, immunotherapy in mass educational campaigns needs emphasis. With the help of media hype, all hope is put on vaccine-induced immunity.

We seem to have forgotten about our body’s innate immunity, to enhance the immune system we already have in our body. The white blood cells, in particular the lymphocytes, play an important role in boosting the body’s immune system. Lymphocytes are the body’s main types of immune cells that include – natural killer cells, B cells, and T cells.

Natural killer cells are first responders and provide rapid response to virus-infected cells and cancer cells. They are cytotoxic and not antigen specific. These natural killer cells are pre-programmed to have a broad-spectrum pathogenic effect, eliminating also viruses of mutants or variants and their infected cells.

Both the B cells and T cells have adaptive or acquired immunological effect after an initial response to a specific pathogen. The B cells make antibodies known as immunoglobulins to help fight infections. The T cells are broadly divided into two – helper T cells, that play an important role to help activate the B cells to secrete antibodies and macrophages to destroy ingested microbes; and cytotoxic T cells which kill infected cells.

The lymphocytes and all the white blood cells must be armed with a weapon for that cytotoxic role. That weapon is vitamin C.

Vitamin C has important roles to assist in the innate and adaptive immunity functions. Sufficient amounts of vitamin C must be carried in the white blood cells for that cytotoxic function. While vitamin C is vital for the lymphocyte’s functions in immunotherapy, high consumption of sugar will be detrimental to that function. This is because vitamin and sugar, both have similar molecular structure and share the same pump for entry into cells.

If one consumes much sugar, or one is a chronic diabetic, sugar molecules will dominate and crowd out vitamin C’s entry into cells, resulting in the white blood cells being temporarily inactive.

To date, the global Covid-19 death toll is more than 2.7 million. Apparently, those who succumbed more easily to the SARS-CoV-2 virus were with weak immune systems.

Hence, the need to emphasise on educating the people so that each individual may employ self-help measures to boost one’s own immune system, is obvious and compelling. This entails lifestyle modifications, healthy eating, and nutrients support to help modulate the immune system.

Boosting the immune system is also about helping the people create and regenerate health, akin to a health reset. This has nothing to do with the business of disease models involving patents.

Why is the WHO and the health authorities being silent on immune-boosting measures as a strategy against Covid-19? – March 25, 2021.

* Captain Dr Wong Ang Peng is a researcher with an interest in economics, politics, and health issues. He has a burning desire to do anything within his means to promote national harmony. Captain Wong is also a member of the National Patriots Association.

* This is the opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of The Malaysian Insight. Article may be edited for brevity and clarity.