As the vaccine rollout continues, anti-vaccine campaigns are on the rise.
To end the pandemic, health experts say a large part of the population must be vaccinated.
As anti-vaxxer campaigns continue to gain traction, we asked Penn State College College of Medicine Professor Dr. Bernice Hausman if the anti-vaxxer campaigns gain traction, could they impact pandemic response?
Dr. Hausman says “A lot of people are concerned. I feel like the concerned is a little bit misplaced.”
Hausman has done extensive research on the controversy surrounding vaccination. She tells us it is important to understand the hesitancy.
Myth #1: COVID-19 vaccines were developed too quickly
She tells us, “The most common (myth) is that the vaccine was developed too quickly and there have not been enough studies to demonstrate safety.” Hausman stresses that the efficacy has been proven.
Currently, there are two COVID-19 vaccines available and many more are in clinical trials. Each of the vaccines use different types of technology, some method are newer and less common than others.
Hausman says, “People may have different comfort levels with different kinds of vaccines depending on how comfortable they are with technology.”
Myth #2: COVID-19 data are not real or calculated incorrectly
Another hesitancy stems from concerns over how COVID-19 data has been calculated. She says that health experts use data from national, county or city numbers and can understand why those numbers do not always connect with people who are skeptical.
Hausman tells us, “People don’t experience vaccines at the population level. They experience them at the level of their own body or the body of their children or family member.”
Hausman says as the rollout of vaccinations continues, more confidence can be built. Until then, she says the focus should be on the plan for distribution.
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