Question

1. How do you think the anti-vaccination movement will affect the vaccine efforts related to the COVID-19 pandemic? Do you think vaccine hesitant individuals will be willing to vaccinate themselves and their family against COVID-19 due to the extenuating circumstances?

Answer 1

During a pandemic, the logical option would be to take the vaccine as soon as it is available in the market. But according to a recent study done in New York of 1000 people. The stats are concerning. The polling was done 3 times and every time the % of people who would take the vaccine on their own went down. Some of them would only take it if the doctor recommends it and around 12% outright rejected it.

There have been so many false rumors surrounding the Covid-19 vaccine that people are getting more and more hesitant when asked about the vaccination. From false stories such as Bill gates using the vaccine to microchip the whole population or the death of a volunteer from early test phases of vaccination. On top of these, various ads relaying the message of anti-vaccination reaching a population of 5000-50000 turning the minds of people who are unsure about the vaccine intake.

Facebook is one of the social media platforms on which such companies are advertising the anti-vax medicines. Facebook has been strict actions to take down any misinformation related to vaccines and also directing people to articles with correct information.  

WHO reports that it is very concerning because the vaccine isn't even out yet and a movement has already started. This needs to be taken seriously as Vaccination isn't an individual choice, It's for protecting those who can't be vaccinated.

Since the outbreak, there has been an increase in extreme views related to anti-vaccine and any wrong step will only add fuel to the fire. Anti Vaccine campaigners are always looking to target the vulnerable to turn them to the other side.

Vaccine Hesitant individuals are that misinformed group or the confused group who aren't decided on whether to take the vaccine or not. These are the most vulnerable of the lot as they can be easily persuaded by false rumors and stories and make them into believing that vaccines are actually bad for them or there is some sort of conspiracy going on by the government.

The pandemic can be viewed as an opportunity to bolster support for vaccinations. Deaths in the locality or a nearby society have made people vaccines can actually be helpful in saving lives. Life-threatening diseases have a major disruption to the structure of society, our relationships, jobs, and lives. The pandemic is a reminder of the success of vaccines.

Vaccine for Covid-19 will be developed within a year and a half and it is the only hope of protecting the people from the virus and any anti-vaccination campaign should be dealt with serious force.