Diseases have existed since the existence of mankind, and parallel to this, mechanisms of combating these diseases have been used to the extent that the knowledge and technology of the time allowed.
In the last 200 years, one of the fighting tools that has come to the forefront in the fight against diseases has been vaccination. As it is known, the first known vaccine was developed against chickenpox, and it is currently possible to be protected from more than 20 diseases by vaccination. It can be stated that vaccines are one of the safest, most effective, and economical medical applications among drugs, equipment and applications currently used for medical purposes in the world.
When evaluated in the historical process, it can be stated that vaccines are one of the most important and successful tools in the prevention of epidemic diseases. As a matter of fact, smallpox is a disease that can be eradicated by vaccination.
Unfortunately, the COVID-19 pandemic is one of the epidemics that all countries around the world have recently faced. As you know, about a year ago, the COVID-19 pandemic entered the agenda of the whole world.
Our efforts to combat the COVID-19 pandemic continue uninterrupted and multidimensionally. At this point, it should be noted that in addition to the mask-distance-cleaning trio and other measures, we have no choice but to ensure community immunity in effectively and efficiently managing and controlling the COVID-19 outbreak. We also know that community immunity can only be achieved with vaccines. As it is known, vaccines are the most effective mechanism known to ensure community immunity.
Therefore, the national and local research and development of the vaccines, production of vaccines, vaccine supply, vaccine distribution and the acceptance of the vaccine by the society are of vital importance at this point.
In view of this importance, we can state that the industry, universities, scientists, researchers, and all related stakeholder have accelerated their vaccine-related studies with the COVID-19 pandemic process.
The countries’ experiences and practices of vaccine production, supply, distribution, and successful vaccination and immunization rates strengthen our hand in combating the COVID-19 epidemic by vaccination. The purpose of humanity is to create community immunity with a high rate of vaccination, thus ensuring the control of COVID-19 disease. In this sense, we would like to state that it is important to continue to realize the process management by ensuring community participation and acceptance based on volunteering with a multi-stakeholder approach.
Suggested Citation: Yıldırım HH. (2021). COVID-10 Pandemic Management and Vaccines. HPBs Blog: Health and Politics Essays.