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title: Policy Summary Template for translations
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title: Policy Summary Template for translations
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# Summary for policymakers

:::success
This summary was produced by [PolicyBristol](mailto:policy-bris@bristol.ac.uk), University of Bristol and translated by **XX**.
:::

[Download the summary as a PDF document.](https://osf.io/)

**The XX translation of the _Handbook_ will be shared here as soon as it is completed.** 

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**Table of Contents**

[TOC]

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## About the COVID-19 Vaccine Communication Handbook and Wiki

:::spoiler The _Handbook_ and Wiki are an online guide help fight the spread of misinformation about the COVID-19 vaccines. 

<br>

Topics in the handbook include public behaviour and attitudes, policy, facts, and misinformation.

The guide aims to arm people with practical tips and provide up-to-date information and evidence to talk reliably about the vaccines, reduce fear and constructively challenge associated myths. It includes:

* Key facts and messages about vaccines and uptake
* How to engage with someone expressing vaccine uncertainty
* Evidence-informed communication approaches to address myths and reduce misinformation

The handbook links to a ‘[living library](https://c19vax.scibeh.org)’ of information that will be regularly updated. **This is currently in English only.**

The Covid-19 Vaccine Communication Handbook and Wiki were created by a [SciBeh project](https://c19vax.scibeh.org/contributors).

[Contact the authors](mailto:contact@scibeh.org).
:::


## Vaccines & uptake: key messages

:::spoiler Vaccines help people survive. 

<br>

Vaccines save 5 lives every minute. The eradication of smallpox---a serious disease that left even survivors scarred for life—alone saves an estimated 5 million lives every year. If a vaccine had not eradicated smallpox, someone would now die from the disease every 6 seconds of every day. Prior to the introduction of a vaccine, as recently as 1980, measles caused more than 2.6 million deaths globally.
:::

:::spoiler Vaccines can only save lives if people are vaccinated. 

<br>

Fortunately, most people get vaccinated. For example, 85% of children worldwide are vaccinated against diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis (whooping cough), and in 125 countries that figure exceeds 90%. The vast majority of people in most countries vaccinate their children, thereby making an important contribution to public health and people’s lives.
:::

<br>

<!--:arrow_backward: More information on [**success of vaccines**](https://c19vax.scibeh.org/pages/vaxsuccess).-->

## COVID-19 vaccines

:::spoiler COVID-19 is a serious disease.

<br>

COVID-19 is a serious disease. In only 10 months the SARS-CoV-2 virus infected over 78 million people across the world, killing 1.7 million. COVID-19 patients require intensive care in hospital at a rate more than 6 times greater than during the influenza pandemic in 2009. Many survivors are faced with sometimes severe long-term health impacts.
:::

:::spoiler Vaccines provide a better path out of the COVID-19 pandemic.

<br>

While behavioural measures such as isolating while symptomatic, mask-wearing and physical distancing have slowed the spread of the virus, vaccines provide a better path out of the COVID-19 pandemic, and scientists have now developed several highly effective vaccines against COVID-19.
:::

<br>

<!--:arrow_backward: More [**facts about COVID-19**](https://c19vax.scibeh.org/pages/covidfacts).-->

## COVID-19 vaccine trials

Because of the risk from COVID-19 and its prevalence, it was possible to expedite the clinical trials without compromising safety:

* **Funding was no obstacle** and thousands of scientists contributed to the effort.
* Many **tens of thousands of people signed up rapidly to participate in COVID-19 vaccine trials** in 2020, compared to the 12-18 months it often takes to recruit far fewer participants for such trials.
* These **vaccines have been tested with more participants** than many earlier vaccines for other diseases.
* Because of the high prevalence of COVID-19 in the population, **observing the efficacy of the vaccines based on naturally-occurring infections was more rapid** than it would be with other, rarer diseases.
* Pharmaceutical companies took financial risks and **started investing in manufacturing early on**, so there was no delay between completion of testing and rollout.

As with all medicines, [side effects](https://c19vax.scibeh.org/pages/sideeffects) can occur after getting a COVID-19 vaccine. However, these side effects are transient (24-48 hours), and serious side effects (allergic reactions) are exceedingly rare. The fact is: **The risk of the disease by far outweighs the risks of the COVID-19 vaccines.**

<br>

<!--:arrow_backward: More [**facts about COVID-19 vaccines**](https://c19vax.scibeh.org/pages/c19vaxfacts).-->

## Public attitudes and vaccination

Studies in several countries have shown that **most of the public recognize the important of the COVID-19 vaccine and are keen to be vaccinated.**

A survey in the UK also indicated that trust in scientists is increasing, with 64% of respondents indicating in April 2020 that the pandemic had made them more likely to listen to scientists and researchers.

People are more likely to vaccinate when:
* It is convenient, free and easy.
* They have confidence in the safety of the vaccine and trust in the system that delivers it.
* Their [healthcare professionals](https://c19vax.scibeh.org/pages/healthpros) recommend it.
* Role models, friends and family or others ‘like them’ have been vaccinated.
* People are reminded that their actions can foster community immunity and help others.
* People recognise the risk from the disease, and understand vaccination is an effective solution to that risk.

Factors that lead to hesitancy towards the COVID-19 vaccine:
* [Ideological reasons](https://c19vax.scibeh.org/pages/misinfo_politics).
* About a third of people who are not intending to be vaccinated against COVID-19 are committed vaccination opponents and often believe in [conspiracy theories](https://c19vax.scibeh.org/pages/misinfo_conspiracytheories).
* Safety [concerns](https://c19vax.scibeh.org/pages/misinfo_myths).
* Many [marginalized communities](https://c19vax.scibeh.org/pages/vaxculture) traditionally face obstacles and inequalities in healthcare. They may also have collective histories of experience with medical malpractice that affect current trust.
* Some people hope to become [free-riders](https://c19vax.scibeh.org/pages/freeriding), letting others have the vaccine while they receive the benefits of herd immunity.
* Some young and healthy people believe they are [not at risk from COVID-19](https://c19vax.scibeh.org/pages/riskperception).

<br>

<!--:arrow_backward: More information on [**public attitudes towards the COVID-19 vaccines**](https://c19vax.scibeh.org/pages/publicattitudes).-->

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