Corona vaccine; Truth or deception

The Corona epidemic has affected millions of people around the world in the past few months, causing extensive human and financial losses. There is no definitive cure for this disease. One way to fight this viral disease is to get vaccinated. In recent weeks, there have been several reports of effective vaccine production by different countries. According to the presented data, it seems that several vaccines have been very effective in clinical studies. Interestingly, in many countries, people have serious doubts about the use of this vaccine. For example, in a recent survey in the United States, about half of those who refused to use the vaccine. Another statistical study in the United Kingdom confirms people’s skepticism about the use of these vaccines. Many people seem to have unscientific beliefs about the disease and its vaccine, which supports the conspiracy theory. Many people in different societies believe that this disease is man-made or that it has been deliberately exaggerated, or that vaccine companies or the World Health Organization intend to deceive people and make a profit. The fact is that all scientific studies in the world are conducted under certain regulations. During World War II, the Nazis introduced many prisoners of war into studies that were scientifically and morally unacceptable. Thus, in 1964, the World Medical Association in Helsinki, Finland, formulated principles for human studies that are applicable throughout the world. According to these principles, any clinical study in human beings must first be based on the informed consent of the subjects. Second, any therapeutic intervention must be proven to be safe or low-risk. For example, animal studies were first performed on the corona vaccine, which showed its effectiveness. Then, human studies were performed at a limited level, which showed, firstly, that this vaccine has very few side effects and, secondly, it is able to create immunity in individuals. More extensive studies were then performed in more people that proved the effectiveness of this vaccine. It should be noted that this vaccine or any treatment method must pass various tests and show its effectiveness in clinical studies before the medical community recommends its use. Of course, this does not mean that this vaccine is 100% effective or 100% safe. But when we compare its benefits with its side effects, we can claim that its benefits outweigh its side effects. Of course, the physician must carefully and patiently explain the benefits and harms to each person and obtain the person’s informed consent to receive the vaccine or any other treatment. The medical community should explain these steps in simple language to people in the community to help improve community health by addressing questions and doubts. The medical community should also increase public confidence in health advice by educating and raising awareness. It should be emphasized that any health or medical advice should be based on scientific evidence and confirmed in clinical studies. It should also be emphasized that these studies have been conducted with certain criteria and in compliance with the principles of medical ethics. The results of any study must be evaluated and approved by independent experts. In our country, the Ministry of Health, Treatment and Medical Education is in charge of this issue. It is necessary for the officials in this field to carefully provide the necessary advice to the people of the society in order to firstly increase the trust of the society in these recommendations and instructions and secondly to help improve the health of the society.

Dr. Reza Saidi Firoozabadi – Transplant surgeon