BE WELL
The Impact of Vaccines The development and advancement of vaccines has had an undeniably positive impact on public health. Dr. Paul Cornea, an infectious disease specialist with CHI Memorial Infectious Disease Associates, emphasizes the importance of vaccines, especially in regard to children’s health. “The vaccines have had a tremendous role in reducing mortality, especially in children, to the point that the younger generations are completely unaware of the devastating effects of the infections prevented by vaccines,” he says. As previously mentioned, vaccines can also play a role in eliminating a public health crisis if they are used on a consistent and widespread basis. Dr. Jay Sizemore, chief medical officer at Cempa Community Care and the medical director of infection prevention at Erlanger Health System, cites the measles vaccine as an example of how vital they are to public health: “The World Health Organization (WHO) granted the United States a Measles Elimination Status in 2000. Our country nearly lost that status in 2019 when 1,282 cases were reported, largely in individuals who had forgone this vaccine.”
44
HealthScopeMag.com
The COVID-19 Vaccine In March of 2020, the WHO officially declared COVID-19 to be a global pandemic. A mere nine months later, the first vaccine for the virus, created by Pfizer, was given the green light by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, with the Moderna vaccine following shortly after. Dr. Eugene Ryan, an internal medicine physician with Parkridge Medical Group, considers these vaccines, proven to be over 90% effective, game changers when it comes to infectious diseases. “The most formative vaccine in recent history will have to be the COVID-19 vaccine,” he explains. “This vaccine was developed in record time to battle a global pandemic.” As these vaccines begin to roll out in phases to the public, medical professionals are optimistic. When asked about the outlook for 2021, Dr. Sizemore believes it to be “excellent,” saying, “I suspect that we will be able to offer a COVID-19 vaccine to all who want it in our country during the first six months of 2021.” Dr. Cornea believes the year will be an excellent opportunity for a global learning experience, stating, “I also hope that the vaccines will continue to prove their safety and the people who are reluctant to take the vaccine now will later come on board.” While the current state of the global pandemic might feel disheartening, Dr. Ryan believes there is much hope to be had. “My hope is that we will vaccinate over 90% of the population in the next 12 months,” he says. “The outlook is dim right now, like one candle in the darkness – but this darkness is brightening with everyone who gets immunized, and soon the darkness will be gone.” HS
