Vaccines and Public Trust: Insights from the World Vaccine Congress Panel

The panel, led by Sibilia Quilici, Executive Director of Vaccines Europe, convened a distinguished group of experts to examine the critical question: Can vaccine uptake keep pace with the accelerated rate of vaccine development?

Panellists included Marion Gruber from IAVI, Marco Cavaleri from the European Medicines Agency, Hanna Nohynek from the National Institute for Health and Welfare, and Thomas Waite, the UK’s Deputy Chief Medical Officer. Through rich discussion, the panel underscored the importance of transparency, innovation, and public engagement in fostering vaccine confidence and uptake.

Misinformation and Trust in Vaccination

The conversation opened with Marco Cavaleri, who was reflecting on lessons from COVID-19. “To increase vaccine uptake, we need to rebuild trust,” he stated, adding that misinformation spread rapidly during the pandemic, leaving an “unfortunate, traumatic impact on public perception.” Cavaleri emphasised the role of regulators and public health authorities in maintaining “transparency about scientific data” and advocated engaging directly with citizens through modern communication channels, particularly social media, to counter misinformation.

Echoing this, Thomas Waite observed that while misinformation could be corrected through transparent education, disinformation posed a unique challenge due to its intentionally deceptive nature. “Engaging with disinformation on its terms is counterproductive,” he said, urging a clear communication approach firmly grounded in accurate, science-based information.

Transparency and Data Quality

Transparency emerged as a central pillar, with panellists stressing that open data and easy access to vaccination information play a vital role in public confidence. Hanna Nohynek spoke of Finland’s experience during COVID-19, where adverse events were reported in real time. This allowed the public to “see transparency in action,” building a stronger foundation of trust. Waite highlighted a similar approach in the UK, noting that the UK Health Security Agency’s data dashboard became a heavily used public resource, promoting transparency and providing real-time flu, RSV, and COVID-19 vaccination statistics.

Innovation and Access: Meeting New Vaccine Demands

The global vaccine pipeline is evolving rapidly, with innovations designed to address threats like respiratory diseases, antimicrobial resistance, and climate-related health impacts. Gruber remarked, “We are seeing new infectious diseases entering the northern hemisphere due to climate change, adding urgency to our need for innovative vaccines.” The conversation also spotlighted AMR (antimicrobial resistance), with Gruber discussing the advanced stages of tuberculosis vaccines. “AMR vaccines could be transformative in curbing resistance,” she added.

This innovation surge, however, brings challenges of its own. Waite noted that in the UK, “The immunisation schedule has become significantly more complex.” With the increase in adult vaccinations, including RSV, flu, shingles, and COVID-19, the programme now requires substantial public outreach to explain why vaccination remains crucial at each life stage. Gruber and Nohynek stressed that effective public engagement and education are essential to ensure uptake keeps pace with scientific advancements.

Bridging Health Inequities: Expanding Vaccine Access

Discussing global disparities, Nohynek raised the importance of equitable vaccine access, particularly for low- and middle-income countries. As she explained, the WHO’s Strategic Advisory Group of Experts (SAGE) has prioritised maternal vaccination for RSV in these regions. However, she pointed out gaps in clinical trials across continents, noting, “The absence of data from Asia, especially given high prematurity rates, underscores the need for global representation in trials.”

Gruber cited Argentina’s success with maternal RSV vaccinations as a promising case study. Argentina’s approach — a blend of government support, accessible vaccination points, and educational outreach — yielded 57% coverage in the first season. “Political will and cross-sector collaboration were key to this success,” she said, adding that lessons from Argentina could be instrumental as RSV vaccines roll out across Africa.

Economic Challenges and Prioritisation

Sibilia Quilici closed the panel by addressing the economic dimension of vaccine rollout. She argued for an economic perspective on immunisation, explaining that “vaccination is not just a health intervention but a key driver of societal and economic growth.” Nohynek highlighted the challenges her institution in Finland faces due to budget cuts, which she described as “counterproductive,” noting that restrictions on funding can hamper efforts to evaluate and introduce new vaccines effectively.

Cavaleri reinforced the need for a streamlined approach, remarking, “We need to integrate the vaccine approval process with recommendation systems to reduce the lag time. Six years from authorisation to patient arms is simply too long.”

The Path Forward: Building Resilient Immunisation Systems

The panel concluded with a unified call for increased transparency, streamlined regulatory frameworks, and sustained investment in vaccination programmes. Waite summarised the vision: “Advances in technology should make it easier for citizens to get vaccinated while service providers adapt to meet the needs of modern lifestyles.” Gruber echoed his sentiment, noting that “infections affect us all,” underscoring the importance of making vaccines accessible across diverse populations.

The panel’s insights ultimately emphasised that immunisation strategies must adapt to sustain progress, integrating public trust, technological advancements, and economic considerations. The panellists agreed that by addressing the challenges head-on, we can ensure vaccines continue to protect and empower communities globally.