The benefit of Covid vaccines is far beyond its side effects!

Experts state that it is not correct to say that the coronavirus has only slowed down a little, but that the epidemic has completely disappeared. Explaining that stronger vaccines against viruses have recently come to the production point and that the expected benefit from vaccines is far beyond the side effects, Prof. Dr. Selçuk Kaya touched upon the importance and effects of getting coronavirus vaccines.

Stating that there has been an increase in the number of cases in the last weeks and months regarding the coronavirus, Karadeniz Technical University (KTU) Faculty of Medicine Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology.Head of Department Prof. Dr. Selçuk Kaya said, “Yes, there was a decrease in the number of cases, but we know that parallel to this, there was a certain period of complacency in us as well.

The number of tests has also been reduced, and the probability and rates of being diagnosed have also decreased. There has been an increase in the number of cases in the last weeks and months, we already know this, and the announced data shows this. Reflections of complacency, as if the epidemic is completely over, as if the germ has disappeared, a thought and a comfort are one of the important factors in reaching this point. Again, factors such as the fact that the use of masks, which is the most basic measure in protection, has decreased to a large extent in the society, is a major factor in the increase in the number of cases.

“VACCINES CREATED US A FEELING OF CONFIDENCE”

Pointing out that the most advantageous part of the epidemic is vaccination, Prof. Dr. Kaya said, “One side where we have an advantage compared to the early stages of the epidemic is perhaps the vaccination situation. The fact that vaccines have now been applied throughout the country to a certain extent. Of course, we were still very much requested and it is not possible to say that it was done at an adequate level. Obviously, that vaccination created a certain sense of trust in us. It has brought the body’s immunity to certain points for many individuals, but we still know that the protection of vaccines is not in question. And I would like to underline that these should decrease over time, especially booster doses. Therefore, the most important thing to do is that this epidemic is not completely over, and even the authorities describe it as a new wave in the past days.

In this process, I would like to state that some measures such as hygiene and social distance, such as masks, should not be forgotten and should be remembered and applied warmly on the agenda. I would like to underline that vaccination is very important, especially in elderly people, individuals with underlying comorbidities, individuals with chronic diseases, or individuals with immunosuppressive states, and that reminder doses should be given,” he said.

“EFFECTIVE VACCINES AGAINST VARIANTS SUCH AS BA4-5 HAVE COME TO THE PRODUCTION POINT”

Noting that vaccines with stronger efficacy, especially for variants such as BA4-5, have come to the production point, Prof. Dr. Kaya said, “Recently, there may be opinions or discourses stating that some sub-variants of the variant virus can progress with different clinical findings and that the current vaccines against these sub-variants are insufficient or ineffective. It would be a very wrong approach to say that current vaccines are ineffective against these variants. As a result, our body recognizes this virus once by being vaccinated. But the virus will mutate and change shape over time, and maybe we will always be able to encounter different variants. But a vaccinated individual will always be ahead in this battle by at least a few zeros over an unvaccinated individual. Vaccines with stronger efficacy against variant viruses, especially for variants such as BA4-5, have come to the point of production, but it will take some time before they become routinely available to the market, at best in the autumn period. I think it will be able to find the winter months”.

IT HAS MORE BENEFITS THAN A SIDE EFFECT!

Pointing out that the expected benefits of Covid vaccines are far beyond the side effects, Prof. Dr. Kaya said, “Of course, every vaccine can have some side effects, short-term or long-term. But always in vaccination, especially in mass vaccination, the golden rule in such important epidemics is; There is always a balance of benefit and harm. Undoubtedly, the currently expected benefit of vaccines from Covid vaccines far exceeds their side effects. For this reason, it must be applied, disseminated and massively, we need to reach a vaccination rate above a certain level. For some question marks in the future, of course, there will be a need for the data to be settled and collected in the long term, of course,” he said.