(essay)

In the twenty-first century, despite breakthroughs in medicine and science, humanity is facing a paradox: even the most effective preventive measures, such as vaccination, are increasingly being questioned, feared, and distrusted. Large groups of people are being formed who call themselves anti-vaccinationists and advocate the complete rejection of any vaccinations. This problem not only hinders the development of public health, but also endangers the lives of the most vulnerable – children, the elderly, and the chronically ill. Why do so many people doubt one of the most effective means of disease prevention even now?

The main problem is probably the lack of trust in the safety of vaccines. Many people are afraid of side effects, believing that vaccines were developed too quickly and not sufficiently tested. This was especially evident during the COVID-19 pandemic, when new vaccines were developed in an extremely short time. Many people became suspicious: “If a vaccine was created in a few months, how can it be safe?”

Looking at the situation more globally, COVID-19 vaccines were developed quickly thanks to decades of preliminary research. The acceleration procedure did not mean ignoring the safety stages — it just meant that the testing, production and licensing processes were carried out in parallel rather than sequentially. The vaccines have passed all the necessary phases of clinical trials — on thousands of people — so there is no reason to worry.

Another strange but no less valid reason for refusing vaccinations is belief in conspiracy theories. Some people believe that vaccines are a tool of control or even a sort of biological weapon. The most common theories are: vaccines are used to control populations, for example, through microchipping; vaccination causes infertility to reduce population size; vaccines are a tool of governments or pharmaceutical corporations to make profits or establish total control. Some people think that pandemic viruses are created by transnational pharmaceutical corporations to produce millions of vaccines and to earn billions of profit…

Each of these claims has been repeatedly disproven by scientists and engineers, but people continue to believe them despite everything. A tracking microchip cannot pass through a needle for injection and has no power source in the body. As for infertility, no clinical trial has confirmed the effect of vaccines on fertility. The WHO, CDC, EMA and other organizations have officially denied this. As for profiteering from people, vaccines are developed in open international laboratories, their formula is public, and the results are independently verified in different countries. And mortality statistics, overcrowded hospitals, and laboratory data from around the world confirm the reality of the disease.

The media and social media further complicate the situation with distrust of vaccination. In a time when anyone can create an ‘expert opinion’ on the Internet, the truth is often overshadowed by emotional fiction, and fear is stronger than facts. Conspiracy theories, stories about ‘mass chipping,’ and distrust of pharmaceutical companies spread much faster than official refutations.

But despite all these factors, it is worth remembering that vaccination is not only an individual decision, but also a social responsibility. Thanks to vaccinations, humanity has overcome many deadly diseases, such as smallpox, polio, and measles. And each time it was possible only because the majority of society trusted science.

The way to restore trust is not through condemnation, but through open dialogue. We need simple, honest and human language about complex things. Not intimidation, but explanation. Not instructions from above, but cooperation with the community, spiritual authorities, doctors and opinion leaders.