Vaccine hesitancy has historical roots, as highlighted by former Gavi CEO, Seth Berkley. On a recent episode of the First Opinion Podcast, he noted that the first vaccine, developed for smallpox, faced skepticism in its early days. Berkley recalled, “right after they were first used, there were wood cuttings of people with cows’ horns growing out of their heads because the virus was isolated from cows.” This anecdote underscores the challenges that vaccines have historically faced, a topic that remains pertinent today.
In his new book, Fair Doses: An Insider’s Story of the Pandemic and the Global Fight for Vaccine Equity, Berkley discusses the successes and failures of the global response to the Covid-19 pandemic. He emphasizes the inevitability of future pandemics, stating, “It is evolutionarily certain that we will have more outbreaks, more pandemics, and frankly, they could be significantly worse than Covid was.” This perspective brings urgency to the conversation about pandemic preparedness and vaccine development.
Balancing Routine Health Work and Pandemic Preparedness
Berkley articulated a pressing dilemma facing global health: the allocation of resources between routine health work and pandemic prevention. He described this situation as a “little bit of a devil’s choice.” The implications of this choice are significant, especially in light of recent funding cuts to scientific research. Berkley posed the critical question: “Do we continue our routine work and stop the work on preventing pandemics, or do we do the work on preventing pandemics and then stop some of the routine work?”
This discussion is particularly relevant as governments and health organizations around the world reassess their strategies for managing public health. The need for sustained investment in both areas is evident, but the path forward remains complex.
Berkley’s insights were inspired by his recent essay, “Global security is impossible without sufficient support for global health,” which highlights the interconnectedness of global health initiatives and security. As the world continues to grapple with the aftereffects of Covid-19, understanding what strategies were effective and which were not is crucial for future preparedness.
Listeners can hear more from Berkley by subscribing to the First Opinion Podcast on platforms such as Apple Podcasts and Spotify. For weekly updates, signing up for the podcast newsletter is encouraged, ensuring timely access to new episodes and discussions.
In the wake of Covid-19, the global community faces the critical task of learning from past experiences to strengthen vaccine confidence and public health strategies. With ongoing dialogue and research, it is hoped that the world can better navigate the challenges of future pandemics.
