Global experts encourage everyone to speak responsibly about the COVID-19 vaccine

A team of renowned scientific experts will work together from around the world to fight the dissemination of false information about the COVID-19 vaccine, which holds the key to defeating deadly pandemics and freeing the country from debilitating blockade restrictions. I helped.

Together, they created their own online guide led by the University of Bristol, a practical combination of up-to-date information and evidence to ensure that they talk about vaccines, constructively challenge relevant myths, and mitigate fear. Give people hints.

As the competition to vaccinate as many people as possible continues in the wake of more virulent virus strains, they appeal to everyone, from doctors to politicians, teachers to journalists, and parents to the elderly. Understand the facts, give guidance, and spread the word.

Professor Stephan Lewandowsky, lead author and chair of cognitive psychology at the University of Bristol, said: “Vaccines are a ticket to our freedom and communication about vaccines must be a passport for everyone to participate. How we all discuss with reference to COVID-19 vaccines, By tackling the wrong information and improving the uptake, you can literally win the fight against this devastating virus. This is very important. That’s why we created this handbook so everyone has the basic information. And get more comprehensive information quickly and join us in sharing facts, not fiction, to guide us on the path to recovery, not the path of further suffering. “

Social media can fuel so-called “infodemic”, conspiracy theories and other misleading allegations can discourage people from being vaccinated and jeopardize efforts to achieve herd immunity. .. The COVID-19 Vaccine Communication Handbook explains the facts and emphasizes how vaccines are overwhelmingly safe and effective.

Co-author of Adam Finn, a virologist who has played an important role in COVID-19, a professor of pediatrics at the Bristol Medical College and director of the Bristol Pediatric Vaccine Center. vaccine Development states: “Precise information about vaccines is difficult to distinguish from compelling but misleading fiction, which reduces intake and reduces intake. public health And it harms us all. Vaccines enjoy the majority of support that politicians can only dream of, but this can no longer be taken for granted. It’s time to take the initiative to prevent people from being fooled into making the wrong decisions that harm them, their children, and their communities. “

Guide topics include public behavior and attitudes, policies, facts, and false information.

Co-author Julie Leesk, a social scientist and professor at the University of Sydney, who chairs the World Health Organization’s Working Group on Vaccines, said: “The safest and most effective vaccine against COVID-19 is useless if people can’t. This handbook comes at an important time when people around the world decide whether to accept the COVID-19 vaccine. We need to communicate more effectively than ever before, and handbooks bring science. Communicating with communicators. “

Edited by more than 25 major experts, this evidence-based guide advances previous efforts to combat false claims and falsehoods, linking to a more detailed wiki on each of the major topics. Gives people access to more detailed research and allows for further comments. Guidance added in real time.

Professor Lewandowsky said: “It’s important to challenge and blame false information in a positive and constructive way. Offering a true sandwich, starting with important facts such as the vaccine being shown to be 95% effective. We encourage you to tackle this by doing it. It has been comprehensively tested without cutting corners.

“Next, we’ll deal with the wrong information. For example, if people say that the vaccine was developed so quickly that it couldn’t be tested properly, I’ll explain why it’s not. The seriousness of the pandemic. Given that, we have more resources and expertise than ever before. This was done before, as the Ebola vaccine took virtually 10 months from the first test to the field trial. Again, because of the attention this effort has received, exam volunteers were recruited much earlier than usual. In fact, they keep their hearts fresh. “

The interdisciplinary team included experts in vaccine psychology, education, and virology, who provided the time and expertise to create this live document. This document will continue to evolve through the wiki as vaccines evolve.

Co-author Doug Lombardy, an educational psychologist and associate professor at the University of Maryland, added: “False information contributes to the false sense of balance that pros and cons of vaccination are presented as two equal aspects in ongoing science. Discussion In fact, scientific consensus Approves mask wear, social distance, and the effectiveness of widespread administration of the COVID-19 vaccine. The COVID-19 Communication Handbook helps people learn the scientific facts about the COVID-19 vaccine. A practical guide to protect yourself from rampant Dissemination of false information.. “

Professor Lewandowsky said: “The COVID-19 vaccine is an amazing achievement in science. But our path to freedom depends on most people who are vaccinated. This handbook and related wikis are for the forefront of medical staff. , Provided to journalists, policy makers, and the general public. A tool for understanding why vaccines are safe and how to refute false information about vaccines. ”