THE covid-19 pandemic has exposed some major fault lines in public trust of science and medicine. From conspiracy theories about 5G phone masts, Chinese bioweapons and Bill Gates to some people’s refusal to wear masks even when required to do so, it is clear that a significant minority of people are worryingly resistant to the facts.
These conspiracy theories and their fallout are going to look like very minor skirmishes if and when a covid-19 vaccine becomes available. Already there are worrying signs that many people will refuse to get vaccinated. A survey released last week found that around half of the UK may decide to decline. International polls have found similar levels of anti-vaccine sentiment.
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You might be tempted to condemn refuseniks to their fate. But of course, their actions will have consequences for others, too. Vaccines are principally aimed at protecting individuals, but they can also create a social good through herd immunity. That is a lifesaver for people who, for various reasons, cannot be vaccinated .
This is just one reason why clinical trials mustn’t be rushed. An unsafe or mediocre vaccine could be worse than none at all.
Scientists also have a duty to build trust in vaccination, and thankfully they already are. A project called CONVINCE has started the hard and thankless task of persuading those worried about vaccines to change their minds.
“’Vaccine nationalism’ blighted the response to the 2009 flu pandemic and it looks as if it is rearing its ugly head again”
A vaccine will also widen another fault line that is already running through the body politic: nationalism versus globalism. Last week, the World Health Organization warned about the dangers of rich countries hogging scarce supplies. This “vaccine nationalism” blighted the global response to the 2009 flu pandemic and it looks as if it is rearing its ugly head again.
Once more, the answer must lie in using facts to change minds. We need to convince governments that nationalist responses are bound to fail when it comes to this new coronavirus.
The pandemic is, by definition, a global problem – and it needs a global solution.
