New Website Will Combat Vaccine Myths, Boost Public Confidence, Increase Acceptance

Story Originally Published by BIO here.

Public opinion polls show there is significant mistrust among the American public in the safety and efficacy of vaccines. So today, the Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO) announced the launch of COVIDVaccineFacts.org. As a subsidiary website of BIO, COVIDVaccineFacts.org is an educational tool that links healthcare providers and the public to scientific and evidenced-based information related to the vaccine development process. Vaccine safety, efficacy, availability, and affordability are among the topics covered on the website.

On the website, which is translated in English and Spanish, users will find answers to a number of “frequently asked questions” related to vaccine development, including:

• What is a vaccine?
• How are vaccines developed?
• How is everyone moving so quickly to develop a vaccine for Covid-19?
• How will we know a Covid-19 vaccine is safe and effective?
• When will my family and I receive a vaccine for Covid-19?

BIO will continue to update the website and add new questions in the coming months.

The text on this website has been independently reviewed by health experts. It also incorporates several visual elements to help explain concepts like herd immunity, emergency use authorization, and more.

Dr. Michelle McMurry-Heath, BIO’s president and CEO, made the following remarks on the new website:

“Our biopharma companies have made incredible progress in finding vaccines and other scientific solutions we need to end this pandemic.

“However, developing vaccines is only part of the battle. We will not find relief from this pandemic unless we ensure all families and communities have access to vaccines – and have confidence in taking them.

“We hope the COVIDVaccineFacts.org will serve as a unique and comprehensive resource to educate the public on the scientifically rigorous, transparent, and safety-focused vaccine development process to build trust in our industry’s unprecedented response to this pandemic.”

Click here to visit the site.