Public trust is key to successful vaccination programmes

Synopsis- Need transparency and timely data sharing to build public trust in the COVID-19 vaccination programme.

Introduction-

• Major European countries, including Germany, France, Italy, and Spain have halted the use of AstraZeneca’s COVID-19 vaccine. This is followed by the warnings of harmful blood clots in some recipients.
• However, the World Health Organization (WHO) and the European Medicines Agency have ruled out any correlation between AstraZeneca’s vaccine and blood clots.

Data on Blood Clot:

According to a study based on the U.S. population, about 1,000 to 2,000 blood clots occurs every single day in the human body.

In the recent AstraZeneca’s COVID-19 vaccine case, there are only 40 blood clot cases reported due to that.

But people are reluctant to get the vaccine due to these types of events. Further, it would lead to a negative effect on the vaccination push.

What are the reasons behind  the impediments to vaccination programmes?

1. No proper vaccine efficacy data available – There is uncertainty and suspicion regarding the side effects of the Covid-19 vaccine.
   • The risks associated with COVID-19 vaccines have not been fully investigated as these vaccines were issued under the Emergency Use Authorizations.
   • The National Committee on Adverse Events Following Immunization has no proper details about the serious adverse events following immunization.
2. Transparency and prompt data sharing: There is lack of transparency and data sharing in vaccination programmes. It could lead to a lack of trust in the vaccine.

Suggestions to improve vaccination programmes

• Firstly, transparency and timely data sharing about the vaccine, and open public health communication will win public trust and faith in vaccines.
• Secondly, like the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, India should also create data on adverse vaccine effects.
• Lastly, vaccine hesitancy is the main obstruction in the smooth vaccination drive. And so, it must resolve immediately.

Source- The Hindu