[Viewpoint] Vaccination campaigns against Covid-19 may promote vaccine hesitancy toward mostly well-established, safe, and effective vaccines

Abstract

The use of thorough clinical trials, open scientific debate and the building of trust in public institutions have been key factors in the acceptance of vaccines in the past. The Covid-19 vaccination programmes were Implemented under emergency legislation, limiting safety assessments and traditional vaccine protocols. Transparency and potential conflicts of interest were an issue, with serious side effects neglected. This has fed public distrust nurturing vaccine hesitancy. Studies on the possible relations between Covid-19 vaccines and an increase in all-cause mortality rates have not merited official concern. This Opinion argues that in order to negate a growing public perception of a causal relationship between Covid-19 vaccinations and serious adverse effects, raw data should be released further research promoted, and open debate permitted without exclusion.