Have it for Captain Tom

GREAT to hear that there is to be a new campaign to help convince younger people to have the vaccine against the virus if they’ve not had it yet.

Most young people do want the vaccine, it seems, and the numbers are going up.

Some might be hesitant about the vaccine because they have heard false scare stories. A key thing here is the psychology of risk perception – people may be overstating the risk.

How we feel about the facts is as important as the facts alone.

We are naturally more wary of a risk which is imposed on us than a risk we have taken ourselves. So, well-designed risk communication campaigns need to be crafted to build trust and demonstrate an understanding of, and respect for, people’s feelings. This can help moderate vaccine hesitancy.

We may also in time, though, need to consider whether social and legal sanctions against the hardline vaccine refusers should be taken.

This could be done in the name of the common good. This is still a crisis and the NHS must be protected.

The best way to do that is not to fall ill to the virus. The vaccines do this and the risks from side-effects are really, really tiny.

The overall group benefits mean that we need to think about this. The needs of the majority may well override the wishes of a minority.

The science is clear and the vaccines are safe. So hopefully everyone will have the vaccine and we can all be protected against this great health challenge.

If you’re still hesitant, have it for your friends and family, have it for Captain Tom, and have it for the local NHS.

Jon Elbert

Bristol