‘Gov’t should dispel doubts vs vaccines’ – Rep. Janette Garin

MANILA, Philippines — The government should implement an effective communication plan to dispel Filipinos’ “vaccine hesitancy” over potential vaccines which can offer protection against COVID-19.

House senior deputy minority leader and Iloilo 1st District Rep. Janette Garin said health leaders and experts should be “speaking the truth at all times, not selective, fearful or engaged in politicking” in addressing vaccine hesitancy.

“When one vaccine is questioned, experts and those in power who know better should come to its defense. Vaccine hesitancy will never be solved if those in charge of resolving this keep on being evasive,” Garin said in a privilege speech on Monday.

“Although strengthening knowledge of vaccines, addressing misinformation, and reinforcing literacy skills are all necessary, they are not sufficient to fully address vaccine hesitancy and uptake. Cognitive, emotional, social, cultural, and contextual factors also shape overall vaccine attitudes and behaviors,” she added.

Garin stressed that vaccine literacy efforts should acknowledge that hesitancy not always driven by a lack of knowledge.

The former health secretary urged policy makers to create and deliver messages that “align with individuals’ values.”

“We need to address all issues of antivaxxers. It is important for authorities to speak up – and the people to listen,” Garin added.

Garin maintained that “priming the public for vaccine acceptance is an urgent public health priority,” especially that surveys revealed the apprehension of many Filipinos to be vaccinated against COVID-19.

“The fact that lack of access to vaccines is a critical driver of low immunization rates in many communities is undeniable; however, when individuals do have access, lack of vaccine confidence becomes a primary barrier to uptake,” she said.

Garin added: “The hesitancy observed regarding COVID-19 vaccines is, in many ways, understandable given the novelty of the virus, mixed messages about the severity of the disease, concerns about the rapid vaccine development timeline, and perceived politicization of the process.”

She said the country should listen to real experts to battle the “infodemic.”

“Stop politicizing public health – this creates more problems than solutions; together, we stop the infodemic and rely only on facts; experts can educate and inform others on vaccinology while people seek to understand it,” Garin added.