Role of Psychological Factors on the Safety and Efficacy of the Coronavirus 2019 Vaccine (COVID-19): Letter to the Editor

Abstract

Introduction: Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19), as the biggest threat to public health in 2020, has caused many problems to people around the world during the current year. The COVID-19, which first appeared in Wuhan, China, was designated as acute respiratory syndrome 2 by the International Commission on Classification of Diseases World Health Organization and on March 11, 2020, it was introduced as a pandemic worldwide. From the earliest days, scientists and physicians have been working to discover and develop an effective vaccine for the coronavirus 2019. Finally, after much effort, several vaccines were approved by the World Health Organization. Many factors can play a role in the safety of vaccines, in this regard, psychological characteristics of individuals is one of the most important factors that can affect the effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccine. Considering that the medical staff of each country is one of the first group to receive the COVID-19 vaccine, so it is necessary they will be examined and evaluated in terms of psychological characteristics in order to provide the necessary psychological interventions if necessary. Iran, on February 9, 2021, started the nationwide vaccination using the Sputnik-V vaccines. Given that mental health can also affect the efficacy of the COVID-19 vaccine, it is recommended that samples be examined domestically for various psychological characteristics such as levels of stress, fear, depression and anxiety should be evaluated to see the best results and effectiveness of the COVID-19 virus vaccine in Iran.