Üsküdar Üniversitesi Vocational School of Health Services, Lecturer Tuğçe Soylamış from the Laboratory Technology Program, who was the speaker of the seminar titled “COVID-19 Vaccine Studies” organized by, said: “114 vaccine studies have been initiated for COVID-19. There are 42 vaccines in Phase-1, 33 in Phase-2, and 22 in Phase-3. While 17 vaccines are authorized and approved, 6 vaccines are fully approved and available for use.”
“Vaccination is a miracle for modern medicine”
Soylamış shared information about vaccine studies and diseases that have continued from past to present; “Our body has an incredible defense system. It recognizes all kinds of foreign molecules such as bacteria, parasites, and viruses, and gains immunity to them. In the context of the immune system, we call all types of structures of living or non-living agents antigens. These are generally substances, especially those with a protein structure, that cause diseases. Vaccines are defined as medical drugs carrying antigens. Vaccination, on the other hand, helps the immune system produce opposing proteins, which we call antibodies, that neutralize antigens. White blood cells, in turn, create memory for what we've listed, such as bacteria and viruses, and eliminate their molecular agents by recognizing them beforehand. Vaccination is a miracle for modern medicine.” she stated.
“Infections have existed since ancient times”
Soylamış stated that diseases and vaccine studies have always existed from past to present; “These types of diseases have always existed. We see that infections have been around since ancient times. Vaccines are a very important method developed against these diseases and infections. For the first time, there was a primitive method developed by the Chinese against smallpox. They believed they could immunize a healthy person by having them wear the clothes of an infected individual. If we look at the process of vaccine development and administration today, we see that the application of vaccines to babies or healthy people is stricter and more meticulous compared to medication.” she said.
“Currently, there are 6 fully approved and available vaccines”
Continuing her speech, Soylamış touched upon vaccine studies; “In vaccine studies, it is crucial which technologies will be used as the first step. In the initial stage, virus characteristics are determined, and implementation begins. In the second stage, laboratories and test animals are used. If we talk about COVID-19, it is seen to be developed through bats. The third stage concludes with animal experiments. The studies then move to the human volunteer stage, or phase stages. There are three phase stages: Phase-1, Phase-2, and Phase-3. In the Phase-1 stage, a small number of human volunteers are used to investigate unwanted toxic effects. In the Phase-2 stage, more human volunteers are used to assess unwanted effects, efficacy (vaccine protection), and dose adjustment. In the Phase-3 stage, a large group of volunteers is used to detect less common side effects and to research efficacy and safety, including subgroups such as the elderly and those with other diseases. 114 vaccine studies have been initiated for COVID-19. There are 42 vaccines in Phase-1, 33 in Phase-2, and 22 in Phase-3. While 17 vaccines are authorized and approved, 6 vaccines are fully approved and available for use.” she stated.