KARACHI:
While a Covid-19 vaccine has been made available, anti-vaxxers pose a notable challenge to efforts for ridding the world of the deadly microbe. The opposition usually stems from lack of education and religious attitudes mainly in developing countries, but the rise of anti-vaxxers in the developed world has come up as a genuine surprise.
So before the vaccine fights the deadly virus, it will have to face the people. Conspiracy theories against the existence of the virus are still rampant with many claiming it to be a manmade virus designed to keep a check on global population. Others have asserted that the whole pandemic is an evil scheme concocted by governments for killing its own people, since it brings in foreign aids. Our public is equally skeptical about the vaccine. Many a time, such programmes have been labeled as un-Islamic, with nonsensical justification given as an explanation. Therefore, before launching vaccine programmes to curb the spread, it is important that the government take steps in advance, all the while remaining extremely vigilant.
It is important to sensitise the general public regarding the immunisation process in order for upcoming programmes to succeed. Without taking the people onboard, the policy is unlikely to yield results. Ulema and tribal chieftains hold the power of swaying public opinion, making them an instrumental part of this as well. It will be important to conduct immunisations across Pakistan at the same time. For this, robust week-long projects will have to be conducted if efficiency is to be maintained.
Robin Iqbal
Islamabad
Published in The Express Tribune, December 31st, 2020.
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