The first of the ‘Exit from the Pandemic Panels’ organized online by Istinye University was held. Expert scientists in the field attended the panel where Covid-19 vaccines were discussed in all aspects. According to the information given by the experts at the panel, Turkey has risen to the 12th rank in the world in terms of vaccination rates for its population, despite starting from behind in vaccination studies. So far, 6.5 million doses of vaccine have been administered in Turkey. In total, 120 million doses of vaccine are needed.
The first of the ‘Exit from the Pandemic Panels’ organized by Istinye University was held. Covid-19 vaccines were discussed in every aspect and current developments regarding vaccines were evaluated in the panel attended by important names from Turkey and the world who closely follow vaccine studies. According to experts, exit from the pandemic does not seem possible in the near term. Even if the epidemic is brought under control with a vaccine, it is predicted that the Covid-19 virus will continue to exist in our lives. Experts stated that although Turkey started vaccination studies behind, its population rose to 12th place in the world in terms of vaccination rates, and that no vaccination studies had been started in 130 countries yet.
‘Domestic vaccine studies are of great importance’
Giving information about the Out of Pandemic Panels, Istinye University Rector Prof. Dr. Erdal Karaöz said: “We held the first of the online panels, with the participation of valuable scientists, in order for anyone interested in the subject to participate. The situation of vaccination is very important in terms of combating the epidemic. As a country, we have successfully carried out the whole process to a large extent. Vaccine studies carried out in our country; It shows what Turkish scientists can do when given a chance and makes us look to the future with hope. The need for the vaccine will continue for a long time. Therefore, local vaccination studies are of great importance. The second panel will be held on March 13 to discuss where we are in this field and when we can use our first domestic vaccines, and local vaccine studies will be discussed.”
“We need 120 million doses of vaccine”
Stating that Turkey needs 120 million doses of vaccine, Uludağ University Faculty of Medicine Department of Public Health Faculty Member Prof. Dr. Kayıhan Pala stated that Turkey ranks 12th in the world in terms of vaccination and said:
“The vaccine alone is not enough in the fight against the epidemic, but even if the process is brought under control, it will be a very important development. Our country is doing well in vaccination. Despite the low number of vaccines in Turkey and the late start of vaccination studies, it is one of the countries with a significant performance in the world. It ranks 12th in the world in terms of population vaccination rates. With a daily vaccination capacity of around 500 thousand, the number of vaccines administered per 100 people is 7.83. Vaccine stock is as important as vaccination capacity. While some countries have stocked more vaccines than they need, others are far behind their needs. Turkey used 6.5 million doses of vaccine. We need 120 million doses of vaccine in total. If we are going to vaccinate the remaining 60 million people with 120 million doses, if we can make an average of 500 thousand a day, this can be completed in eight months. If we can make an average of 1 million a day, it can be completed in four months. 130 countries have not even started vaccination yet. We must be able to reach the whole world so that the fight against large-scale pandemics can be effective.”
“There are vaccine studies that have come a long way in our country”
Istinye University Faculty of Health Sciences Dean Prof. Dr. Stating that vaccine studies will remain on our agenda for a long time, İsmet Tamer said, “The vaccines originating from the USA, England, Germany, Russia and China seem to come to the fore. There are also studies that have come a long way in our country. Although our country started behind in vaccination studies, it has risen to the top.” Istinye University Faculty of Medicine Lecturer Prof. Dr. Nuriye Fışgın Taşdelen said, “We have left behind a year with the threat of an epidemic that has become more serious than anyone expected. The mask, distance and hygiene rule, which is the most important door to protect from this epidemic, continues. At the same time, the whole world is looking for new ways out. With the acceleration of vaccine studies, everyone saw how important science is in this process.”
“We must have more vaccine stocks”
Scientific Committee member and Hacettepe University Faculty Member Prof. Dr. Ateş Kara stated that vaccine studies are continuing rapidly around the world and said:
“As of now, more than 200 works are in progress. Ready-to-use vaccines emerged at a time that could be considered too early for science. In addition, 295 thousand publications were made on the subject in 8 months. There are vaccine studies in Turkey that have passed to Phase 2. The USA, Canada and European countries ordered vaccines about 4 times their populations. Considering that the protection of vaccines expires for a maximum of 1 year, proper planning should be done. We must have a large stock of vaccines.” Istinye University Faculty of Medicine Prof. Dr. Mustafa Ayberk Kurt, in his speech at the panel, said, “We are about to complete one year since March 17, when the first case in our country was seen. It was a process that our generation had not experienced before. In the first of the panels, where we will discuss the process of combating the epidemic in all its aspects, we evaluated all aspects of vaccine studies in our country and in the world. On this occasion, we commemorate all our healthcare workers with gratitude.”
“Viruses mutate constantly”
Continuing his work at the Sana Biotechnology company in the USA, virologist Dr. Semih Tareen stated that for now, these mutations do not pose a great danger and said: “The year was 1966 when the first coronavirus was discovered by scientists. Subsequently, 4 more coronaviruses were discovered, which were normal in our lives. Our biggest wish at this point is that the Covid-19 virus will be the fifth coronavirus that is constantly watching in our lives. We can say that we have defeated this virus when it reaches the level of a seasonal flu virus. Mutation reports in the press are true because viruses mutate all the time. However, I do not think that it is a great danger for the moment and that it will make extraordinary differences. There are many diseases in the world for which there is no cure or vaccine yet. From this perspective, it can be said that we were lucky for Covid-19.”
Source: (BHA) – Beyaz News Agency
