Fear of vaccination has existed for as long as vaccines have been around – critics circulating false information about their health risks, side effects, and the nefarious “real motivations” of the organisations and people distributing vaccines. Reaction to the coronavirus vaccine has proved no exception with conspiracy theories flying thick and fast – a disturbing new manifestation of the explosion in “fake news” we have seen in recent years.
These concerns are watched closely in the developing world where the AstraZenaca vaccine is perhaps their best hope – it being the only vaccine to be sold at cost. Cameroon and Congo have already suspended their distribution of AstraZenaca due to the worries raised about blood clots. Politicians in Nigeria have backed out of prior commitments to be vaccinated on TV. After this convincing fearful publics to take the vaccine once it has been approved will only be harder.
