Akademik Veri Yönetim Sistemi
JOURNAL OF PEDIATRIC INFECTION, cilt.17, sa.4, ss.281-300, 2023 (ESCI)
The focus of this study entails an exploration of the historical development, production, and implementation of vaccines within the Ottoman Empire, with a particular emphasis on vaccination officers and vaccination centers. Moreover, the broader framework for discussion will encompass the establishment of public health practices, vaccination policies, and the evolution of the vaccination administrative system within the Ottoman Empire. During the 19th century, the Ottoman Empire sought to officially document, regulate, and oversee the responsibilities of vaccination officers. One of the most pivotal decisions made in this regard was to swiftly train vaccination officers due to the excessive workload faced by physicians who underwent a lengthy education process and the inadequacy of their numbers. Consequently, while the government maintained control over vaccine administration, vaccination officers, as public officials, obtained a legal foundation for asserting their rights and, based on this, established a direct relationship with the state. The objective of administering the smallpox vaccine throughout the empire led to a push for an increase in the number of vaccination officers, alongside advocating for the establishment of institutions involved in vaccine production and the opening of vaccination centers (known as "telkihhane"). Both physicians and political authorities were in agreement regarding the necessity of opening vaccination centers due to concerns about vaccines being compromised while being transported to distant and warmer regions. However, for the authorities, addressing both the temporary and permanent expenses associated with this endeavor had consistently been a significant challenge. Moreover, the allocation of limited funds to healthcare expenditures raised debates among various institutions about whether prioritizing vaccination officers and vaccination centers should take precedence. Another significant aspect of the issue was the complaints from the public regarding vaccination officers and the vaccination process. These grievances signified the acceptance of the vaccine's protective qualities while also expressing the expectation for officers to dutifully fulfill their responsibilities. Therefore, these complaints can be evaluated within the context of the public's perception and attitude toward vaccination.