Prof. Dr. Tayfun Uzbay, emphasizing that vaccination is very important for the pandemic to end or for its spread rate to decrease, said, “If we want to end the pandemic, we need to bring at least 70% of society together with an effective vaccine. The more people the vaccine reaches, the faster and more effectively the pandemic will be brought under control and disappear over time.” Prof. Dr. Tayfun Uzbay emphasized that Covid-19 is a viral infection and that vaccination is the most effective and reliable method against such pandemics, stressing that social cooperation is essential for vaccination.
Üsküdar Üniversitesi Faculty of Medicine Head of the Department of Internal Medical Sciences, Rector's Advisor, NPFUAM Director Prof. Dr. Tayfun Uzbay, made evaluations regarding vaccine studies that bring hope during the pandemic process.
Vaccination is the most effective method against pandemics
Prof. Dr. Tayfun Uzbay emphasized that Covid-19 is a viral infection and that vaccination is the most effective and reliable method against such pandemics, stating, “Scientists and research funding organizations worldwide have truly reacted very well to this in solidarity. There was already an advanced vaccine technology. Furthermore, there were already vaccine development studies against the virus family to which this virus belongs. Many vaccine studies started in a short time, and within a period as short as one year, these studies yielded results. There are currently more than 200 vaccine studies that we can describe as serious worldwide, and approximately 10 of these have reached Phase III, the final evaluation stage before licensing.”
The reliability and effectiveness of all vaccines are being tested
Prof. Dr. Tayfun Uzbay noted that the vaccine produced by Sinovac in China, which the Ministry of Health ordered and announced would be administered free of charge, is one of these, and said: “This vaccine is not subject to a different control process than the currently discussed vaccines such as BioNTech-Pfizer, Moderna, Oxford, etc. The reliability and effectiveness of all vaccines are tested and evaluated in their Phase stages using the same paths and methods. Data is presented transparently to science and to the authority responsible for control. It is also shared with the public. For example, when one of the volunteers vaccinated with this vaccine in Brazil lost their life, applications were immediately stopped, and the situation was investigated. After it was proven that the death was not related to the vaccine, studies continued. It is not possible to start applications before Phase III results are announced, evaluated, and quality control of the product to be applied is carried out. The Ministry of Health also has a clear statement on this matter. After the necessary controls and evaluations are made, the product will be licensed and put into widespread use. Throughout all phase studies, there does not appear to be any significant serious difference in terms of side effects and efficacy among vaccines produced with different techniques that are currently close to getting licensed. Therefore, for now, it is not possible to evaluate the Sinovac vaccine coming from China differently from the others in terms of side effects and efficacy.”
No significant difference in safety and efficacy between the two vaccines
Prof. Dr. Tayfun Uzbay stated that the BioNTech-Pfizer vaccine requires storage at -70 degrees, and if storage conditions are not met, the vaccine's effect may be lost, saying: “From the production line until it reaches you for administration, the vaccine needs to be transported via a sensitive chain. Germany and the countries aspiring to this vaccine are therefore building appropriate infrastructure for it. Although it may last for a while after being removed from -70 degrees, a disruption in the supply chain can lead to an issue resulting in ineffectiveness. Therefore, the -70 degree condition must be provided in places where this vaccine will be stored and/or maintained. This means a minimum investment of 10-15 thousand dollars for each storage unit. While 10-15 thousand dollars may be sufficient for a pharmacy, the price could increase as the storage volume grows. Additionally, to prevent the vaccine from spoiling while reaching the person to be administered, the reasonable time should not be exceeded. There is no such problem with the Sinovac vaccine we are discussing. Its transport and storage are possible with classical methods we know. Consequently, if we talk about the current situation and available data between the two vaccines, there is no significant difference in terms of safety and efficacy. The BioNTech vaccine requires infrastructure investment and a more careful supply chain in terms of storage and transport.”
Chinese vaccine produced with classic inactivated vaccine technique
Prof. Dr. Tayfun Uzbay, addressing the difference between inactivated vaccines and mRNA vaccines, provided the following information: “The most important difference between these two vaccines is that their production techniques and strategies are different. The Chinese vaccine is produced using the classic inactivated vaccine technique. The isolated, killed, or weakened virus is injected into the body and introduced to the immune system. This is a very old and well-known technique. Many vaccines produced with this technique have been used for a long time. Almost all of us have had a vaccine produced with this technique. The BioNTech-Pfizer vaccine, on the other hand, is produced with a new method called messenger RNA (mRNA) technology, which will be used for the first time in the world. Uğur Şahin and BioNTech company had been working for years on producing vaccines against certain types of cancer with this technique. When the Covid-19 Pandemic emerged, the technique was used to produce a vaccine against the virus, and according to the results of the studies so far, while sufficient efficacy has been achieved, no significant side effect has emerged.
mRNA is a single-stranded biomolecule produced from DNA, which is the main genetic material for many living things. It can pass through the cell nucleus to reach the cytoplasm and carries the genetic information stored in DNA to protein synthesis sites called ribosomes. In this type of vaccine, an mRNA is used that contains information belonging to the spike proteins that allow Covid-19 to attach to cells when it enters the body. This mRNA is read in our body's cells and converted into spike proteins. These cannot cause disease without the rest of the virus, meaning they are ineffective. As soon as the defense cells in our body's immune system see these proteins, they perceive them as "foreign matter" and begin to produce defense molecules called antibodies. This allows us to recognize COVID-19 without getting sick and neutralize it. mRNA disappears after delivering its message. Theoretically, it is not expected to trigger another reaction in your body. The results of short-term studies have not indicated a significant problem, but to prove the reliability of this new technology in terms of causing a serious side effect or another reaction, we need to see the results obtained from long-term application in large populations. Consequently, the Chinese vaccine is old, and the German-US vaccine is based on a new and different technology. We will see in long-term application whether mRNA vaccines are more effective and safer than classic ones.”
70% vaccination required if we want to end the pandemic
Prof. Dr. Tayfun Uzbay, emphasizing the importance of vaccination for the pandemic to end or for its spread rate to decrease, said, “If we want to end the pandemic, we need to bring at least 70% of society together with an effective vaccine. The more people the vaccine reaches, the faster and more effectively the pandemic will be brought under control and disappear over time. Here, it is necessary for countries' vaccination programs to be rational, for sufficient doses to be produced and delivered to people, and for society to support vaccination efforts. Unfortunately, some dissenting voices against vaccines are rising. This is not a good thing. Social cooperation is essential. If society avoids vaccination and a sufficient number of vaccinations cannot be provided, even if the speed of the pandemic slows down, it will continue to cause problems to an extent that disrupts daily activities. This would also not be good for the economy in the long run.”
We can get any vaccine licensed by the Ministry of Health
Prof. Dr. Tayfun Uzbay stated that rather than highlighting any specific vaccine, he wanted to emphasize the importance of vaccination, saying: “We can get any vaccine that has completed the necessary Phase studies, undergone controls, and been licensed by the Ministry of Health. The preference here can be personal. Whoever wants can get the Chinese vaccine, whoever wants can get the German vaccine. As long as sufficient doses are provided and made available for use. If sufficient doses of different vaccines cannot be provided and there is only one option, then the vaccine provided and approved by the Ministry of Health should be administered. Who the vaccine will be administered to is a separate planning and strategy issue. In this regard, it is necessary to heed the recommendations of scientific committees, public health experts, virologists, microbiology, and infectious disease specialists. The relevant scientific authorities in the field will make the most valid planning. As in every country, it will probably start with healthcare personnel and high-risk groups here too. Over time, vaccination will spread to broader segments of society.”
You can get the vaccine you can easily access
Prof. Dr. Tayfun Uzbay noted that short-term research results indicate no significant difference in efficacy and safety among the vaccines currently close to use, and said: “When it comes to drugs and vaccines, we find older drugs that have been used for a long time in large segments of society to be safer. However, this does not mean approaching a new and effective technology with excessive conservatism. If we do so, we might fall behind scientific developments. I recommend getting any vaccine that is easily accessible to you and has been approved by the ministry after quality and safety tests. In medicine, drug and vaccine applications are done with a benefit/harm calculation. If the risk you take by not getting a drug or vaccine is greater than the risk you take by getting it, especially if this risk can result in death, then you should use the drug or vaccine without dwelling too much on long-term side effects that may or may not appear and have a very low probability of occurring. Covid-19 is a deadly virus, and we don't know very well who it kills or why. It can also kill non-smokers, athletes, young, and extremely healthy people. Getting vaccinated instead of contracting Covid-19 seems very, very important both for this calamity to disappear as soon as possible so we can return to normal life and for our own safety. In such an environment, engaging in discussions based on conspiracy theories, far from scientific grounds and facts, and refusing the vaccine means taking a significant risk that could result in severe harm or loss of life. On the other hand, if the number of people thinking this way increases significantly, it means the pandemic will be prolonged.”