Open AccessWith Great Hopes Come Great Expectations: Access and Adoption Issues Associated With COVID-19 Vaccines
Author(s) -
Zhaohui Su,
Dean McDonnell,
Ali Cheshmehzangi,
Xiaoshan Li,
Daniel Maestro,
Sabina Šegalo,
Junaid Ahmad,
Xiaoning Hao
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
jmir public health and surveillance
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 2369-2960
DOI - 10.2196/26111
Subject(s) - covid-19 , pandemic , government (linguistics) , public health , public relations , business , political science , medicine , environmental health , virology , nursing , outbreak , linguistics , philosophy , disease , pathology , infectious disease (medical specialty)
Although COVID-19 vaccines are becoming increasingly available, their ability to effectively control and contain the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic is highly contingent on an array of factors. This paper discusses how limitations to vaccine accessibility, issues associated with vaccine side effects, concerns regarding vaccine efficacy, along with the persistent prevalence of vaccine hesitancy among the public, including health care professionals, might impact the potential of COVID-19 vaccines to curb the pandemic. We draw insights from the literature to identify practical solutions that could boost people’s adoption of COVID-19 vaccines and their accessibility. We conclude with a discussion on health experts’ and government officials’ moral and ethical responsibilities to the public, even in light of the urgency to adopt and endorse “the greatest amount of good for the greatest number” utilitarian philosophy in controlling and managing the spread of COVID-19.