Review

From Smallpox Epidemic to Covid-19 Pandemic; Vaccine Hesitancy and Vaccine Refusal

Volume: 30 Number: 4 December 30, 2021
EN TR

From Smallpox Epidemic to Covid-19 Pandemic; Vaccine Hesitancy and Vaccine Refusal

Abstract

Epidemic diseases caused by microorganisms have taken an important place in human history since ancient times. Vaccines play an important role in the prevention of epidemics. The emergence of the smallpox vaccine idea by Dr. Edward Jenner for the first time in 1798 brought along the refusal of the vaccine by the circles offering unscientific reasons. In vaccine rejection or vaccine hesitancy; Many factors such as people's past experience with vaccines, superstitions about vaccines, and lack of knowledge about vaccines play a role. The benefits and possible side effects of vaccines have been discussed in many scientific studies and still continue to be discussed. In our world, which has witnessed many epidemics, the Covid-19 pandemic caused by the globally devastating Coronavirus; It has led to a reconsideration of the importance of vaccines and the epidemics seen in human history. In this review; Epidemics witnessed by human history from past to present, the history of vaccines, the concepts of vaccine refusal and vaccine hesitancy, and the reasons that reveal these concepts are discussed.

Keywords

Vaccine , epidemic , pandemic , vaccine hesitancy , vaccine refusal , covid-19

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