Author/Authors :
Dergaa, Ismail PHCC, Primary Health Care Corporation, Doha, Qatar , Abdelrahman, Huda PHCC, Primary Health Care Corporation, Doha, Qatar , Varma, Amit PHCC, Primary Health Care Corporation, Doha, Qatar , Yousfi, Narimen Research Laboratory “Sport Performance Optimization” - National Centre of Medicine and Science in Sport (CNMSS), Tunis, Tunisia , Souissi, Amine Research Laboratory “Sport Performance Optimization” - National Centre of Medicine and Science in Sport (CNMSS), Tunis, Tunisia , Ghram, Amine Research Laboratory “Sport Performance Optimization” - National Centre of Medicine and Science in Sport (CNMSS), Tunis, Tunisia , Samir Hammad, Ayat Hamad Bin Khalifa University - College of Health and Life Science, Doha, Qatar , Rashid Musa, Eiman HMC, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar , Taheri, Morteza Department of sport sciences - Imam Khomeini International University, Qazvin, Iran , Irandoust, Khadijeh Department of sport sciences - Imam Khomeini International University, Qazvin, Iran , Chtourou, Hamdi 6 Institut Supérieur du Sport et de l’éducation physique de Sfax - Université de Sfax, Sfax, Tunisia , Rafiei, Mohammad Mahdi Depratment of exercise physiology - Faculty of Physical Education & Sport Sciences - University of Tehran, kish , Ghasemi, Mohammad Department of sport sciences - Imam Khomeini International University, Qazvin, Iran , Farzian, Shakiba 9Department of Physical Education and Sport Sciences - Islamic Azad University, Qazvin
Abstract :
Background. The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome
coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), has created an unprecedented and daunting challenge for humanity to survive. This has
also affected the sporting events across the globe as the majority of the tournaments have been cancelled or postponed
as a result. For life to return to pre-pandemic normalcy, an effective and safe vaccination program needs to be
implemented, be readily accessible, widely available, and affordable at the same time. Objectives. In this review, we
analyze various challenges which demonstrate that COVID-19 is far from over.Methods. A systematic literature search
was conducted on PubMed, ScienceDirect, Medline, google scholar and Scopus from the commencement of the
COVID-19 pandemic to 22 June 2021. The current report is a summary of data regarding challenges faced by the
COVID-19 vaccination campaign and the challenges for a transition toward normalcy especially for big sports events.
Results. The current COVID-19 pandemic has likely resulted in sporting events and tournaments being canceled,
postponed, or held without or with restricted spectators around the world. A combination of measures including prompt
vaccination with the beneficial impact of the vaccines in reducing the severity of disease, advances in treatment,
expanded use of diagnostics and better implementation of public-health policies are a necessity. Following this
implementation, a transition toward normality could be expected when the mortality rate of COVID-19 simulates the
average influenza statistics, with public-health measures continuing to play an important role worldwide. Conclusion.
The authors believe that COVID-19 will be endemic in the human population, similar to seasonal influenza, and that
COVID-19 vaccines will be included as an add-on to seasonal influenza vaccinations, being administered every winter
for at least the next few decades. With adequate vaccination, the sporting world will be able to withstand the challenges
and resume global events, returning to pre-Covid levels of normalcy
