‘It’s urgent – we must do something about vaccine hesitancy’
As climate change causes more extreme weather events, increased rainfall, and rising temperatures, the spread of infectious diseases is on the rise. News reports of the streets of Paris being fumigated to limit the spread of mosquito-borne diseases serve as a stark reminder of the urgent need for action. Vaccines are a crucial tool in combating these diseases, including tropical and mosquito-borne illnesses and those thriving in conditions of reduced access to clean water.
However, vaccine hesitancy has become a growing concern since the COVID-19 pandemic. This hesitancy extends beyond COVID vaccines and affects even those that have been successfully used for decades, leading to the near-eradication of some infectious diseases.
The decline in vaccine confidence was highlighted by the UK Health Security Agency, which warned of the re-emergence of measles outbreaks caused by a decline in MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella) vaccine coverage in certain communities.
Recent research conducted by the School of Biological Sciences at the University of Portsmouth found that confidence in vaccinations has significantly decreased since the onset of the pandemic. The study, which compared survey data collected before and after COVID-19, revealed that 23.8 percent of participants in 2022 reported a decline in confidence.
The decline in vaccine confidence was observed across various demographic groups, including different ages, genders, religious beliefs, education levels, and ethnicities. Notably, participants with religious beliefs and those from Black and Asian ethnic backgrounds displayed higher levels of vaccine hesitancy.
Additionally, there was a shift in vaccine hesitancy among age groups, with middle-aged participants in 2022 showing more confidence compared to younger adults. This change could be attributed to the severity of COVID-19 in older patients, raising awareness of the risks and the importance of vaccination.
The decline in vaccine confidence has significant implications for public health, especially as millions of children remain unvaccinated and vulnerable to preventable diseases. Climate change exacerbates these risks, disproportionately affecting marginalized and disadvantaged groups, particularly in developing countries.
Rebuilding vaccine confidence must be a priority for governments and health agencies working to build climate-resilient health systems. Strategies to address vaccine misinformation should be non-judgmental, culturally appropriate, and tailored to individuals’ concerns. Emphasizing support for vaccinations, while highlighting success stories from past campaigns, can also help overcome hesitancy and promote vaccine acceptance.
Efforts to dispel misinformation and tackle vaccine hesitancy require collaboration among governments, health authorities, scientists, educators, and community leaders. By working together and tailoring responses to local communities, we can address the challenges posed by climate change and vaccine hesitancy, safeguarding public health and ensuring a resilient future for all.
In conclusion, urgent action is necessary to combat vaccine hesitancy in the face of climate change. With the potential emergence of new global pandemics, vaccines play a pivotal role in mitigating the devastating impacts. Governments, health agencies, and communities must unite to rebuild confidence in vaccinations and protect vulnerable populations from preventable diseases.
