On vaccination against coronavirus infection

The incidence of coronavirus infection has become one of the most pressing medical, social, and economic problems worldwide. As with any airborne infection, vaccination is the most effective preventive measure.

In the Republic of Belarus, mass vaccination against COVID-19 began at the end of December 2020. The first to be vaccinated will be medical workers, educators, and specialists whose professions require frequent contact with people. Vaccination will be voluntary.

The vaccine used for vaccination is the Russian-produced "Gam-COVID-Vac" preparation, better known by its commercial name "Sputnik V". The vaccine was developed and is produced by the N.F. Gamaleya National Research Centre for Epidemiology and Microbiology. It is a two-component vector-type preparation, the production technology of which is well-known and has been repeatedly tested over the past decade. The basis consists of two types of harmless human adenoviruses, whose envelopes are supplemented with S-protein particles of the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus. When introduced into the human body, the preparation triggers an immune response, which involves the production of a sufficient number of specific antibodies and the formation of lasting immunity to COVID-19 infection.

Russia was the first in the world to register a coronavirus vaccine - "Sputnik V". The first volunteers participating in clinical trials received vaccinations on September 9. In Belarus, clinical trials of the preparation started on October 1. One hundred volunteers out of more than four thousand applicants took part in them. On December 21, the Ministry of Health reported that the Russian coronavirus vaccine had been registered in Belarus.

A vaccine storage system has been established in healthcare organizations in Belarus to maintain the cold chain, and special medical freezing equipment for vaccine transportation has also been purchased.

Training seminars have been conducted for medical personnel on the issues of immunization against coronavirus infection.

All other population groups have time to consider whether they will be vaccinated against coronavirus infection. Each person, when making a decision about vaccination, must have truthful and reliable information. Sometimes, information obtained from certain internet sources is not always reliable and unfounded.

Medical professionals warn about the possible severe consequences of coronavirus infection and recommend getting vaccinated against coronavirus if you belong to one of the most vulnerable groups for infection:

- with the highest risk of developing post-infectious complications;

- suffering from one or more chronic diseases;

- forced by the nature of their work to have daily contact with a large number of people, among whom there may be carriers of the infection.

However, there are also those who have contraindications to vaccination against coronavirus SARS-CoV-2. This category includes people:

· who have had coronavirus infection in the last six months;

· with severe allergic reactions;

· with hypersensitivity to the components of the Sputnik V vaccine;

· currently suffering from influenza, ARVI, or another infectious disease;

· with any other acute illness, including chronic ones;

· pregnant and breastfeeding women;

· children and adolescents under 18 years of age.

For the listed groups, the administration of the coronavirus vaccine may have unpredictable consequences, so such individuals are advised not to take risks and postpone vaccination to a more favorable time.

Therefore, before administering the vaccine, each person will be examined by a doctor, their health status will be assessed, and their medical documentation will be reviewed. Each vaccinated individual will be under medical observation for thirty minutes.

Healthcare has reached its highest point of development in the observed historical period of humanity. And vaccination is one of the main achievements of medicine. Its significance for the population and safety have been proven over decades. Make the right choice. Protect yourself and your loved ones.

Epidemiologist of the Lepel District Center of Hygiene and Epidemiology N.V. Pobortseva