WHO: Loss of confidence in vaccines will increase cases of pneumonia and meningitis

Geneva.- The erosion of trust in vaccines is one of the causes of diphtheria outbreaks «y the reason why we will see more cases of pneumonia and meningitis», warned the director of the Department of Immunization, Vaccines and Biologicals of the World Health Organization (WHO), Kate O’Brien, at a press conference.

The number of measles cases, 800,000 more than in 2019, and the inability to eradicate polio by 2025 are also a consequence of that lack of trust in a certain sector of the population, added O’Brien. “It is very clear that the trajectory will be to go backwards in the prevention of deadly diseases, despite the fact that science offers the tools to avoid it through immunization,” he lamented.

The Danger of Misinformation

Due to the increasing spread of misinformation and disinformation about vaccines, O’Brien considered it essential that religious, social, or political leaders disseminate “accurate information that represents the truth about vaccines.” O’Brien also appealed to the responsibility of local governments and asked them to use the best available evidence and scientific information to guide their policies and programs for protecting the health of the population.

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“We have a serious problem when these aspects are politicized,” he warned.

For her part, WHO immunization expert Diana Chang clarified that another barrier to immunization is access to certain populations. Chang indicated that half of the children who have not received even the first dose of the DTP vaccine (against diphtheria, tetanus, and whooping cough) live in countries affected by conflict.