Health experts are now making some grim predictions about the vaccines.
The head of the Red Cross has warned that the spread of “fake news” concerning vaccines could cause a “second pandemic”.
German news agency Deutsche Welle reports that Francesco Rocca, president of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, commented during a virtual round table discussion that there is a “parallel pandemic of distrust” that needs to be defeated.
The report notes that Rocca warned of a “growing hesitancy” globally toward vaccines, noting that “a vaccine in-and-of-itself will not be enough to end this pandemic.”
Rocca also asserted that the lack of trust in vaccines “is by no means a Western phenomenon,” further noting that “In several African countries, we have seen a common skepticism towards vaccines in general, with a common belief being that foreigners use Africa as a medical `testing ground.”‘
“We believe that the massive, coordinated efforts that will be needed to roll out the COVID vaccine in an equitable manner need to be paralleled by equally massive efforts to proactively build and maintain trust,” Rocca said.
“We stand ready to support government efforts to roll out a COVID-19 vaccine, including by leading and supporting efforts to counteract misinformation and build trust,” Rocca added.
Rocca warned against the rise of “vaccine nationalism”, a concern previously posited by Bill Gates that not everyone in the world will be given access to a COVID vaccine.
TUBINGEN, GERMANY - NOVEMBER 28: General view of local doctor Lisa Federle's mobile testing station during the second wave of the coronavirus pandemic on November 28, 2020 in Tubingen, Germany. Federle bought 20,000 antigen rapid test kits for EUR 100,000 and is offering the tests free of charge, though she is grateful for donations. "No one should be alone at Christmas," she reportedly said. She has received support from a local musician as well as the German Red Cross. Germany is in the midst of a surge in coronavirus infections whole daily averages have been levelling out over recent weeks but remain high. (Photo by Thomas Niedermueller/Getty Images)