The ‘pandemic’ of vaccine skepticism

topic:	Health and Sanitation
located:	Afghanistan
editor:	Shadi Khan Saif

Skepticism towards change in the status quo - and particularly when it relates to scientific innovations - is something humanity has been grappling with for ages.

Born out of deep-rooted mistrust and misplaced beliefs, particularly in fragile states and societies, this dilemma increasingly threatens to drastically slow down or even roll back the cutting edge advancements in the fight against preventable diseases.

As if being one of the few countries (alongside Pakistan and Nigeria) in the world that have yet to root out the polio virus was not enough, the way Afghanistan is dealing with the world in the Covid-19 era is frightening.

Despite the generous support throughout the coronavirus pandemic, Afghan authorities, particularly in the health sector, have been miserably failing the war-weary nation in terms of providing services and raising awareness.

The proven cases of monetary corruption from top to bottom in this sector not only further dent the public confidence in the health system, but lead to the spread of vaccine skepticism.

Afghanistan began rolling out the COVID-19 vaccine on 23 February, following the World Health Organization’s emergency approval for the Indian made shots.

Thus far, the country has received around one million doses - half of which were donated by India while the rest were delivered to the country through COVAX, the global initiative aimed at promoting equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines.

Apart from the pressing health concerns, the Afghan government’s failure to address systemic corruption amid the prevailing culture of impunity could mean that it will face an erosion of its much-needed ties to other nations in the region and that its citizens will be subject to restrictions on international travel and increased isolation.

A recent Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction report has already confirmed that NATO Resolute Support mission advisors have reduced contact with Afghan security ministries and their forces due to U.S. troop withdrawals and the COVID-19 pandemic.

This demonstrates the links between endemic corruption and vaccine skepticism failing an entire nation.

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