https://chathamvoice.com/2023/11/08/vaccine-hesitancy-a-growing-concern/

By Pam Wright

Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Restoring public confidence in vaccines in a post-pandemic world is a top priority for Chatham-Kent Public Health.

“Vaccines can save lives,” said Dr. Shanker Nesathurai, C-K’s acting medical officer of health

However, the physician explained that good information and dialogue to raise awareness about the benefits of vaccines are as critical as the medicine itself.

“I think moving forward we have to present a balanced message with vaccines,” he said.

Nesathurai’s comments came at a recent board of health meeting following a report by Marnie Van Vlymen, leader of the health unit’s infectious diseases team. Van Vlymen pointed out that vaccine hesitancy is on the rise, noting there’s less uptake in the COVID-19 vaccine today compared to two years ago.

“We’re seeing an increase in the number of (vaccine) exemptions,” Van Vlymen told the board, adding the team is seeing “decreased confidence” in vaccines across the board.

Nesathurai said Ontario is progressive in its vaccine approach, with the first vaccines administered by public health officials at two months of age. Ongoing immunizations prevent a wide range of illnesses, from whooping cough to meningitis, he said.

Using polio as an example, Nesathurai explained the devastating illness affected 9,000 Canadians in 1953, killing 500 people. But thanks to a vaccine developed by Jonas Salk in 1955, the last recorded case of polio in the country was in 1977.

“Despite all these advances, we are facing this challenge called vaccine hesitancy,” the doctor stressed, noting it’s a “complex problem” influenced by complacency, inconvenience and lack of confidence.

Vaccine hesitancy ranges from delaying getting an immunization to outright refusal.

Nesathurai admitted the world has changed and people don’t defer to authority, including public health messaging, as they once did.

The doctor stressed that “rigorously tested” vaccines are safe and benefit society by keeping people from getting sick and preventing the spread of communicable disease, which in turn lessens the burden on hospitals and the health-care system.

Chatham-Kent’s annual influenza and COVID-19 immunization rollout is in full swing. Van Vlymen said public health has been working hard to immunize high-priority populations such as vulnerable citizens housed in long-term care and retirement homes. To promote convenience, clinics are also being held at schools, workplaces and other community spaces.