Vaccination stands as one of the most crucial measures to safeguard populations against various diseases, including measles, mumps, rubella, polio, diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough), hepatitis B, influenza, and even the coronavirus. It represents a simple, safe, and highly effective approach to save millions of lives and prevent numerous cases of severe illness.
Yet, despite the manifold benefits of vaccination, some individuals remain hesitant to embrace this medical advancement. Alarmingly, vaccine hesitancy and climate change denial share similar characteristics, both impeding disease control and posing threats to our well-being. The climate crisis has compelled animals to migrate to higher altitudes, bringing diseases with them. Vectors such as mosquitoes, ticks, and fleas, responsible for transmitting various dangerous diseases, are now active for extended periods due to rising global temperatures. Erratic weather patterns, like extreme droughts and floods, have also created new breeding grounds for diseases, as noted by experts from the Pandemic Tracking Collective.
Over the next two decades, between 2030 and 2050, the climate crisis is expected to claim an additional 250,000 lives annually due to climate-related threats such as malaria and water insecurity, as reported by the World Health Organization (WHO). Although children in developing countries will bear the primary burden of climate-related diseases, other population groups will increasingly experience its impact.
Science skepticism emerges as a dangerous nexus fueling both vaccine hesitancy and climate change denial.
An expanding body of research suggests that individuals skeptical about the climate crisis may also harbor hesitations about vaccines. A study published in the journal Nature posits that this connection might arise from the complexity of both climate change and vaccination as intricate scientific subjects, challenging for some to grasp. However, it’s crucial to recognize that not all climate change skeptics are vaccine skeptics, and vice versa.
The world possesses the necessary tools to mitigate the consequences of climate-induced diseases, but a swift and resolute global action plan is imperative.
In an interview with allAfrica’s Melody Chironda, Dr. Charles Shey Wiysonge, Senior Advisor and Regional Immunization Advisor at the World Health Organization Regional Office for Africa in Brazzaville, Congo, delves into the intertwined nature of vaccine hesitancy and climate change skepticism. Dr. Wiysonge also oversees the Vaccine Preventable Diseases Program for WHO, playing a pivotal role in spearheading efforts to combat vaccine-preventable diseases across Africa.
Understanding Vaccine Hesitancy:
“Vaccine hesitancy is a term that has gained prominence recently, particularly in the context of COVID-19 and COVID-19 vaccination. The World Health Organization defines vaccine hesitancy as a delay in acceptance or refusal of vaccines despite the availability of vaccination services,” explains Dr. Wiysonge. “This means that someone who is vaccine hesitant may be uncertain about whether to get vaccinated or may intend to get vaccinated but keep postponing the decision. Vaccine hesitancy differs from vaccine refusal, where someone outright declines vaccination.”
COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy presents a multifaceted phenomenon, influenced by various motivations and concerns. Acceptance rates for COVID-19 vaccines in Sub-Saharan African countries exhibit significant variability, ranging from as high as 68% in some studies to as low as 55% in others. However, vaccine hesitancy and refusal persist, hampering the effectiveness of vaccination initiatives. Drivers of vaccine hesitancy are context-specific and encompass lower education levels, distrust in science and government, and misinformation. In South Africa, vaccine hesitancy has been closely linked to the proliferation of vaccine-related misinformation and disinformation on social media platforms.
In 2019, WHO identified both the climate crisis and vaccine hesitancy as significant global health threats due to the risks they pose to individuals and communities. As Dr. Wiysonge elucidates, vaccine hesitancy can stem from various factors, including misinformation, a lack of trust in healthcare providers, and personal beliefs. Social and cultural elements can also exert influence.
Challenges in Vaccinating Remote and Underserved Areas:
Dr. Wiysonge highlights that underserved areas encompass both rural and urban settings. Populations in these areas may be socially isolated due to factors such as vaccine hesitancy or limited access to healthcare services.
When addressing the term “remote and underserved areas,” Dr. Wiysonge explains, “Remote areas are typically geographically distant, often rural or isolated regions. Underserved areas can exist anywhere, even within urban locales. They are characterized by populations with limited access to healthcare services, often due to socioeconomic factors like poverty, lack of insurance, or discrimination. Underserved areas may also exhibit high levels of vaccine hesitancy.”
Transporting vaccines to remote and underserved areas presents numerous challenges. These regions may be geographically isolated, featuring inadequate roads and limited transportation options. Moreover, they might lack healthcare facilities for vaccine storage and administration. In addition to logistical hurdles, remote and underserved areas may experience vaccine shortages due to high demand, limited supply, or difficulties in vaccine transportation. To overcome these obstacles, alternative energy sources, such as petrol-powered refrigerators or solar panels, may be employed to maintain vaccine potency in regions with unreliable energy supplies.
The Interplay Between Vaccine Hesitancy and Climate Change Skepticism:
Vaccine hesitancy and climate crisis skepticism share a common root: a distrust of science and institutions, coupled with susceptibility to misinformation and disinformation. Those hesitant to receive vaccines often cite safety and efficacy concerns. However, these apprehensions frequently stem from debunked misinformation and conspiracy theories. Similarly, climate change skeptics often question climate science’s accuracy and the motivations of climate scientists, again grounded in misinformation and conspiracy theories.
This distrust in science and experts presents a significant barrier to combating vaccine hesitancy and addressing the climate crisis. Dr. Wiysonge underscores the importance of acknowledging the scientific consensus on both issues. He notes, “Science-based vaccines are crucial, effective, and among humanity’s greatest achievements, drastically reducing the impact of various diseases.”
Efforts to combat both vaccine hesitancy and climate denial necessitate a comprehensive understanding of the underlying reasons for skepticism and distrust in science.
The Role of Misinformation in Vaccine Hesitancy in Africa:
Dr. Wiysonge emphasizes the substantial role misinformation plays in fueling vaccine hesitancy. “Misinformation plays a significant role. Some individuals may inadvertently spread misinformation despite having good intentions, lacking expertise in the field. However, there are also individuals who intentionally misrepresent facts, fostering fear and discouraging vaccine uptake. Our studies have revealed a strong correlation between misinformation and vaccine hesitancy.”
Counteracting misinformation and vaccine hesitancy demands tailored approaches. For those uncertain about the benefits of vaccines due to misinformation, providing accurate information regarding vaccine safety and efficacy is essential. For individuals whose vaccine hesitancy stems from a lack of trust in science and authority figures, building trust through community engagement and leveraging trusted individuals as conduits for accurate information is vital.
The Role of International Collaboration in Africa’s Vaccination Efforts:
Dr. Wiysonge underscores the indispensable role of international collaborations and partnerships in supporting vaccine acceptance and distribution in Africa. While international collaboration provides technical support, financial resources, and tools for measuring vaccine hesitancy, Dr. Wiysonge emphasizes the significance of national ownership of vaccination programs. Communities should also possess ownership over their vaccination systems, as they are the most directly affected.
One example of international technical support is the provision of tools to measure vaccine hesitancy, such as WHO’s validated framework. This framework assists countries in identifying specific challenges related to vaccine hesitancy, enabling the development of targeted interventions. Collaboration ensures the availability of vaccines and facilitates their uptake among populations.
Addressing the Economic Barrier to Vaccination:
Economic constraints can hinder vaccine acceptance in various ways. Dr. Wiysonge explains that people living far from vaccination services may encounter difficulties in transportation, affording vaccines, or accessing vaccination services, particularly those with low incomes. Negative past experiences with vaccination services, such as long waiting times or difficulties in accessing vaccines, can erode trust and contribute to hesitancy.
To address these challenges, vaccination services should be made more accessible and convenient. This entails ensuring vaccination services are available daily, at all hours, and in accessible locations. Additionally, making vaccines more affordable, including providing free or subsidized vaccines for low-income individuals, is crucial.
Dr. Wiysonge highlights the importance of flexible vaccination schedules, accommodating people who need to work before getting vaccinated, either for themselves or their children. Ensuring vaccine availability is essential, as repeated unavailability can lead to waning trust in vaccination services and authorities.
The Potential for Vaccination to Transform Lives:
Dr. Wiysonge underscores the transformative power of vaccination. “Vaccination stands as one of humanity’s most remarkable achievements, leading to the eradication of smallpox and substantial reductions in diseases like measles, diphtheria, pertussis, and polio.”
He urges global cooperation to ensure vaccine availability, accessibility, and understanding of their significance. Dr. Wiysonge expresses optimism about the future, believing that new vaccines can be developed for diseases that currently lack prevention measures. Ultimately, vaccination represents hope and stands as a vital tool in safeguarding our health and well-being.
In conclusion, vaccine hesitancy and climate change skepticism share common threads of distrust in science and institutions, often fueled by misinformation. Addressing these issues necessitates tailored strategies, international collaboration, and efforts to build trust in science and vaccination. With these concerted efforts, we can overcome barriers and ensure that vaccines continue to save lives and protect against diseases.
