Opinion – Esper Kallás: Commitment to vaccines in elections

After the period of greatest turmoil of the Covid-19 pandemic, the tendency is to try to cool the memory of so much pain and problems experienced.

Something similar happened after the Spanish flu pandemic at the beginning of the last century. The population, weakened by the tragedy caused by one of the deadliest epidemics in history, went out to celebrate with what energy they had left. The desire to forget had an impact on the scarcity of records on the impact of the Spanish flu, a reason for debate by historians.

One of the important points related to the current scenario concerns the implementation of immunizations. The extraordinary impact of different vaccines on Sars-CoV-2 infection is recognized, as well as the drop in deaths from Covid-19.

Even so, a new wave of denial of scientific evidence is emerging, as at other times in history. The population that offered great resistance to being vaccinated against smallpox, at the beginning of the 20th century, also struggled to convince itself that smoking was responsible for causing cancer and deaths, flooded by false data trumpeted by the tobacco industry. Scenes are repeated.

We have seen the attitude of managers, including health, questioning the implementation or adherence to vaccination programs. It was the vaccines that made it possible to better deal with the pandemic, alleviating the impact on the fragile Brazilian health system, which was on the verge of complete national collapse.

However, there are a considerable number of people who propagate conspiracy theories that are blatantly false. Chips that modify behavior, malformations and sterilization for population control are some of the absurd claims, but capable of promoting harm to the unwary.

It causes greater astonishment when these theories find a voice in the figure of doctors, who should guide and protect the integrity of the population, regardless of their own religious or political ideologies.

A response as forceful as the aggression used by propagators of fake news is more than necessary. Otherwise, the negative impacts on collective health will be felt for many generations.

The struggle to consolidate the idea of ​​the harmful effects of tobacco use, promoting the sharp drop in the percentage of smokers in the country, took decades of effort and investment.

We cannot afford to wait that long with vaccines. Misinformation is already reflected in a drop in adherence to basic vaccines, including against polio, with a marked decrease in protection coverage for children, especially. Should we wait for a case of infantile paralysis to occur for everyone to mobilize?

Although the engagement of the whole society and professional associations is desirable, the main reaction must come from the Ministry of Health, responsible for dictating public policies on immunizations.

Although there are many important issues to be addressed, the next president of the Republic needs to be very committed to the health ministry, fighting denialism and taking a strong position alongside scientific evidence.

Recognizing the protective role of vaccines, especially for children, as well as their importance in public health emergencies, as occurred in the Covid-19 pandemic, is essential.

Otherwise, we will go back to living with the suffering and deaths caused by measles, polio and other preventable viruses, as in a past that we want but cannot forget.

Cover that of all your candidates.