Turkish Journal of Geriatrics 2025 , Vol 28, Issue 3
INVESTIGATION OF THE LONG-TERM EFFECTS OF PANDEMIC VACCINES ON PHYSICAL AND COGNITIVE PERFORMANCE AFTER THE PANDEMIC
Rıdvan YILDIZ1, Onur Seçgin NİŞANCI2
1Dicle University, Medical Services and Techniques, Diyarbakır, Türkiye
2Artvin Çoruh University, Therapy and Rehabilitation, Artvin, Türkiye
DOI : 10.29400/tjgeri.2025.454 Introduction: The present study compared the post-pandemic effects of different vaccines and vaccine combinations administered during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic in individuals defined as "young-elderly."

Materials and Method: Participants included 440 volunteers who met the inclusion criteria. They were divided into four groups based on the type of vaccine they had received. During data collection, participants completed a Personal Information Form, the Montreal Cognitive Assessment, the 36- item Short Form Health Survey, and the Alusti Test. The study was conducted between December 15, 2024, and May 29, 2025.Data were analyzed using SPSS version 28.0.

Results: The analyses revealed a statistically significant difference between groups in both the Alusti test (assesses physical performance) and the 36-item Short Form Health Survey (assesses quality of life) (p<0.05).This difference was particularly pronounced in the group that received the combination of BioNTech and Sinovac vaccines;it hadlower scores on physical performance and quality of life compared to the other groups. Cognitive performance did not differ significantly between the groups (p>0.05).

Conclusion: Therefore,the coronavirus disease vaccines may have varying long-term effects on the individual"s overall health status and quality of life. Keywords : COVID-19; Physical Functional Performance; Cognition; Quality of Life; Vaccines