The Director of the Department of Immunization, Vaccines and Biologicals at the World Health Organization (WHO), Kate O'Brien, stated at a press conference that the erosion of trust in vaccines is one of the causes of diphtheria outbreaks and the reason we will see more cases of pneumonia and meningitis. She lamented that it is very clear that the trajectory is moving backward in the prevention of deadly diseases, even though science offers the tools to prevent it through immunization. O'Brien considered it fundamental that religious, social, or political leaders disseminate 'accurate information that represents the truth about vaccines' due to the growing spread of misinformation and disinformation about vaccines. O'Brien also appealed to the responsibility of local governments, urging them to use the best available evidence and scientific information to guide their policies and programs for protecting the population's health. 'We have a serious problem when these issues are politicized,' she warned. In turn, WHO immunization expert Diana Chang clarified that another barrier to immunization is access to certain populations. Half of the children who have not even received the first dose of the DTP vaccine (against diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis) live in countries affected by conflict, Chang indicated.
