Anti-vaccination mindset
At least one of your correspondents doesn't seem to like the term "anti-vaxxers" but that anti-vaccination mindset is sadly real, and has been costing people their lives since the late 18th century.
Anti-vaxxers of that time drew cartoons showing people growing cow-horns because the vaccine against smallpox came from cowpox. Smallpox was a terrifying disease which killed an estimated 10 per cent of the global population and up to 20 per cent in cities. Even those who survived it had lifelong health consequences.
Two-hundred years later smallpox was extinct in the wild because of vaccination programmes. That's a great reason to support the World Health Organisation (WHO) despite its loud critics. Sadly, in those two centuries, millions died because of ignorance, misinformation or non-availability of the vaccine in their country.
Edward Jenner originally promoted vaccinating based on data from 23 patients. He had no idea what the smallpox virus looked like or how it worked. Today's Covid vaccines are the result of scientific research on par with the effort made to send people to the moon.
Now the internet gives people the ability to tap into minority viewpoints on everything from climate change denial to theories about a "plandemic". It's a pity that access doesn't always come with the wisdom to discern the difference between scientific institutions with hard-won credibility and the small numbers of people who always like to hold a contrary view.
I am happy and grateful to have put my trust in the scientists who developed the vaccines that every major health organisation on the planet are saying is the best tool we have to protect us. I am also happy to report that I haven't grown any cow-horns even after both doses.
KEITH BEAUTRAIS
Whanganui
