How has it come to pass that vaccines, once heralded as miracles of modern medical science, with people lining up in droves to take shots and sugar cubes that would prevent them and their children from getting polio, measles, diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough and many others, are now suspect and avoided by a significant number of people. First it’s necessary to clearly understand the different groups people fall into with respect to their views about vaccines, and recognize that many people labeled Anti-vaxxers are nothing of the kind. There are many quite rational people who willingly accept most vaccines, but believe that a specific vaccine is not appropriate for them based on any number of reasons ranging from vague intuition, anecdotal experience, social media interactions, or occasionally highly informed or even expert level knowledge and review of the scientific data. Then there are the people who generally accept the majority of recommended vaccines, but don’t receive them at the prescribed schedule, either because of some belief that the vaccines are safer when spread apart, or through complacency. Finally there is the group who believe that basically all vaccines are either un-needed or more dangerous than the disease they are designed to prevent. That tribe is the true Anti-vaxxers, and for the most part unreachable by discussion or persuasion—and terribly misguided. All of the forgoing of course applies only to people with simple access to vaccination.
"What should be possible is for Public Health figures and scientist-physicians to learn from the events of the Pandemic and have their communications make it immediately clear, what is a best guess based on little to no scientific data, and what recommendations are supported by strong evidence."
The problem, which is not limited to public health organizations, is prioritization of immediate goals. Admitting that a recommendation is based on a best guess would be expected to decrease compliance. The likelihood that a poor recommendation would decrease compliance with all future recommendation is ignored because the negative effect is delayed.
"What should be possible is for Public Health figures and scientist-physicians to learn from the events of the Pandemic and have their communications make it immediately clear, what is a best guess based on little to no scientific data, and what recommendations are supported by strong evidence."
The problem, which is not limited to public health organizations, is prioritization of immediate goals. Admitting that a recommendation is based on a best guess would be expected to decrease compliance. The likelihood that a poor recommendation would decrease compliance with all future recommendation is ignored because the negative effect is delayed.
Thanks Jeff for sharing your insightful facts and opinions, sprinkled with your signature Dr Kocher humor 🙂.