By: Jorge Emilio Osorio, CEO of VaxThera.

Perhaps vaccines had not been as important over the past few years as they became after the arrival of COVID-19. The pandemic, which two years after it started just begins to seem mitigated, challenged social, economic, and government dynamics and, therefore, health systems all over the world. In early 2020 countries began to realize, perhaps too late, the gaps and shortcomings in public health management. The lack of preventive practices and preparation to face circumstances like these, led to fatal consequences for people’s lives.

In my experience with research and development of biologicals, I have seen a real need to put the brakes on emerging diseases. Although we usually do not have any control over the causes, we do over their consequences. This is where I emphasize the importance of vaccination in health promotion. History has proven that vaccines save lives, and since the creation of the vaccine against smallpox, a path has been established through which professionals from different disciplines have helped consolidate health policies where vaccination is the primary community solution to epidemiological problems that have plagued society for decades.

Vaccines regained their importance with the arrival of the coronavirus, but it is important to point out that its history goes back more than 200 years of scientific and technological advances that have significantly helped achieve major improvements in health, which have had an impact on the quality of life and mortality rates over the years. We cannot ignore the fact that the progress of immunization has made it possible for millions of lives to be saved every year. This not only pays homage to health, but is also a joint commitment to good care and prevention practices which are some of the best weapons against disease.

This is why we must understand that skepticism with respect to  vaccination has a negative impact not only on those who decide not to get vaccinated but also on the people around them. Today, when we have over 6 million deaths from Covid-19 around the world, and knowing that we are getting ever closer to the dissipation of the virus, it is the right time to say yes to vaccines and understand that they are a scientifically proven alternative that not only help to eradicate the current pandemic but also the other diseases that will continue to exist among us. In addition, when we understand that currently most Colombians are no longer required to use facemasks, vaccination is even more important to reinforce protection against the virus.

Thus, I join those who want to continue promoting life, and the hope of promoting a fair and equitable health system. Within the current pandemic framework, vaccines helped deal with the damages, but we understand that their job is also to act as agents to prevent disease in the future, and accepting the vaccines definitely improves the body’s timely response .

That is what we at VaxThera are betting on and we are trying hard to achieve sanitary independence in terms of vaccines and biologicals in the country so Colombians can have effective access to immunization and be prepared against future threats. We have always thought that people understand the value of health when we are sick, and although there are teams of experts who are working on health issues, it is up to every individual to recognize other people’s lives and promote anything that helps us with our health and well-being.

Press contact:
Eliana Siegert
esiegert@vaxthera.com