Abstract:

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) that is highly contagious and transmissible through respiratory droplets. At the beginning of 2020, the rapid infectious outbreak and a lack of effective pharmaceutical treatment provoked one of gravest health emergencies in modern history and a global pandemic bringing tremendous health, social and other challenges. Not only does the virus spread and cause the disease, and in some cases also death, but also leaves a significant impact on human wellbeing and behaviour. Enforced regional and national lockdowns, closure of educational establishments, workplaces and entertainment venues, social distancing and isolation reduced the transmission of the virus and helped break the further spread of the disease, however the restrictive measures consigning people to stay in their homes affected their mental health and the dynamics of their social interactions. Multiple emotional and psychological conditions, including fear, anxiety, irritability, grief, exhaustion and depression, were triggered by both being directly affected by the disease (i.e. diagnosed with COVID-19 and having a symptomatic treatment) and experiencing overall pandemic-induced stress.

The review paper is aimed at identifying and synthesizing relevant literature to determine and assess people’s psycho-social health benefits of vaccination and immunization against COVID-19. To conduct the research, electronic searches were made in Google Scholar, Medline and PubMed databases, as well in the World Health Organization’s COVID-19 research article directory. The findings of the review reveal that COVID-19 vaccines are key to ending the coronavirus pandemic. Vaccination protects people’s physical health by producing immunity and defending the body against the targeted disease; it also increases the safety and amount of their social activity, mobility and interpersonal relationships thereby reducing anxiety and depression. Thus, by safeguarding both their physical and psycho-social health, a gradual return to a more normal life is being ensured. Comprehension of the determinants of individuals’ decision-making process regarding vaccination and establishment of effective strategies for supporting public health and wellbeing policies are of crucial importance for the recovery from the global health and socio-economic catastrophe.

Keywords:

COVID-19, health, vaccination, wellbeing, psycho-social benefits.