MUHAMMED CİHAT ÖZATA, ÖNER ÖZDEMİR
Southern Clinics of Istanbul Eurasia - 2023;34(1):97-102
Objective: Despite being a very effective weapon against many diseases since the 19th century, vaccines have been controversial for many people across the world. This hesitant approach has always threatened individual and community health. This study aims to com-prehensively identify vaccine hesitancy, and its historical root and reveal the prevalence of hesitancy against COVID-19 vaccines as well as childhood vaccines. Furthermore, we aimed to offer several methods that can be beneficial for physicians who are consistently testifying to the problems of vaccine hesitancy. METHODS: Literature data published in PubMed and Google Scholar that covered “vaccine hesitancy and COVID-19” was reviewed by the authors independently and collectively. The data were collected from the 28 studies published in the past 20 years through Pubmed and Google Scholar. Results: In this review, vaccine hesitancy and the story of this phenomenon are explained, along with why people embrace the idea despite ample evidence. Following up, the prevalence of vaccine hesitancy around the world and what can be done to diminish its effects on health are discussed. Conclusion: Vaccine hesitancy has been a growing, complex and societal health-care problem nowadays. It may cause long-term consequences for public health, for example, the rise of vaccine-preventable diseases. It might be dealt with some methods that have been developed for instance Corroborate, About me, Science, Explain and recommendations from Strategic Advisory Group of Experts (SAGE).
