Three promising vaccine studies against Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever continue

In Turkey, vaccine studies against Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever (CCHF), which comes to the agenda again with tick cases especially in summer months, continue to give hope. Experts stated that three different vaccines, which achieved successful results in animal experiments, have moved to phase studies, and efforts are ongoing to develop an effective and long-lasting vaccine. Prof. Dr. İlhan Çetin, a faculty member at Sivas Cumhuriyet University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Public Health, said significant progress has been made in new generation vaccine candidates against CCHF. Prof. Dr. Çetin noted that three different vaccine candidates providing high protection in animal experiments have entered phase studies, emphasizing that this development is an important step in the fight against the disease.

Prof. Dr. Çetin reminded that various vaccine studies have been conducted in different countries against CCHF so far, and some vaccines developed in international consortia including Bulgaria, Russia, and Turkey did not achieve sufficient success. Experts state that previous studies failed to reach the desired level of efficacy and duration of protection, so the projects did not yield the expected results. Therefore, the new vaccine candidates are considered more promising. Researchers have focused on developing a more effective vaccine by learning from past experiences.

It was reported that the newly developed vaccine candidates provided higher protection rates and longer-lasting immunity in animal experiments. Following these positive results, researchers stated that phase studies in humans have begun and they are hopeful about the process. Data from animal experiments indicate that the vaccine candidates are safe and effective. At this stage, it is expected that the vaccines will show similar success in humans.

Prof. Dr. İlhan Çetin noted that citizens wonder why the CCHF vaccine takes longer, citing the rapid development of coronavirus vaccines as an example. Çetin emphasized that each virus has different characteristics, and obtaining sufficient scientific data for rare diseases takes more time. Therefore, the vaccine development process for diseases like CCHF, which occur in a limited number of cases, naturally takes longer. Additionally, the complex structure of the CCHF virus also complicates the process.

Experts emphasize that until an effective vaccine is developed, citizens should be careful against tick contact. It is recommended that those in rural areas prefer light-colored clothing, regularly check their bodies for ticks, and seek medical attention as soon as possible if a tick attaches. Experts point out that early intervention is crucial in the course of the disease. While vaccine studies continue, individual protection measures are of vital importance.