KYW Newsradio's Medical Reports are sponsored by Independence Blue Cross.
By Dr. Brian McDonough, Medical Editor
PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Armed with a $10 billion war chest, the path to a vaccine has been historic. But the effort could fail for a very nonscientific reason.
I have little doubt that we will have multiple vaccines available to the public that are effective, but I am fearful that despite a historic effort in production and distribution, the effort could be far less impactful than it needs to be.
Vaccines have come under attack long before the pandemic. A growing subset of people have been refusing vaccines over the past decade, which is why measles cases are on the rise.
Events of the past year, with efforts focused on attacking science, will have an impact.
We are missing a public education campaign to counteract the attacks, and I have a great fear that a significant percentage of people might refuse to take advantage of a vaccine.
Without buy in, even the best vaccines won't work.
