Vaccine Hesitancy and Effects of COVID-19

Abstract

World Health Organization defined vaccines as “phar- maceutical products that helps body’s immune system to recognize and fight pathogens like viruses or bacteria, which then keeps us safe from diseases they cause”. Vaccines save lives of millions of chil- dren, prevent diseases and disabilities every year. Nevertheless, “vac- cine hesitancy” is alarming due to its potential to cause delays/rejections in vaccination and vaccine-preventable disease out- breaks. Reasons of vaccination hesitancy may vary according to in- dividuals/groups expressing reluctance to certain type of vaccine/s. These reasons should be carefully evaluated and solutions should be sought. Coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) is “severe acute res- piratory syndrome” caused by SARS-CoV-2 virus. The disease was thought to be first observed in Wuhan city of Hubei region of China and it spread rapidly all over the world. Several factors like age, gen- der, and coexisting diseases are known to be effective in course of the disease. There is still no drug or vaccine, known to cure this dis- ease, which causes serious public health problems and economic crises worldwide. It is a fact that many people expressing their anti- vaccination ideas in the past are in expectation of a COVID-19 vac- cine today. Along with protection from infectious diseases, vaccination is the most effective way to reduce serious morbidities or mortalities caused by infectious diseases. Therefore, strategies for preventing vaccine hesitancy must be developed on country basis and later a global strategic approach should be considered. In this review vaccine hesitancy, causes, consequences and changes in general view of society on vaccination after COVID-19 will be discussed.