Call from the Cyprus Turkish Medical Association: HPV, Rotavirus, and Meningococcal Vaccines Should Be Added to the Schedule
In a statement made on the occasion of Vaccine Week, the Cyprus Turkish Medical Association (CTMA) called for the updating of the country’s vaccination schedule, urging the addition of HPV, rotavirus, and meningococcal vaccines to the childhood vaccination calendar.
The CTMA emphasized the importance of incorporating HPV, rotavirus, and meningococcal vaccines into the childhood vaccination schedule and urged the immediate implementation of an adult vaccination program, advocating for these vaccines to be provided free of charge by the government.
Prof. Dr. Ceyhun Dalkan, General Secretary of the Cyprus Turkish Medical Association, stated in a written announcement on Vaccine Week from April 22 to 28 that this week presents an opportunity to highlight the importance of vaccines, strengthen public health, and discuss and address issues related to vaccine access in the country.
Dalkan stated, “Ensuring timely vaccination with the most up-to-date vaccines and vaccination schedule for everyone is the foundation of a healthy society, and this responsibility lies with the Ministry of Health.”
Expressing concern that beliefs such as vaccine refusal or hesitation pose a serious threat to public health, Dalkan said, “We are particularly concerned that measles cases seen in our close vicinity could cause serious problems in groups with low vaccination rates.”
Dalkan noted that there have been serious problems with public access to vaccines for children for over a year in the country since the elimination of the practice of providing vaccines to everyone with a prescription, stating:
“Since the abolition of the practice of providing vaccines to everyone with a prescription, serious problems have arisen in children’s vaccination schedules and access to vaccines. Easy access to vaccines is the most important and indispensable health right of every child living in our country. A vaccination tracking system should be established as soon as possible, and all public and private pediatricians should be able to administer free vaccines.”
Dalkan reminded that vaccination is the most effective, life-saving, and protective health service in human history, emphasizing that vaccines are the most powerful weapons in protecting people against infectious diseases.
Throughout history, Dalkan said, diseases such as measles, rubella, diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, and COVID-19 have been prevented from spreading through vaccines.
“Around the world, millions of lives have been saved, the spread of diseases has been brought under control, and disabilities have been prevented thanks to vaccines,” Dalkan concluded.
