Resurgence of Preventable Diseases: A Conversation with Vaccine Expert Bertram Jacobs
The United States is experiencing a resurgence of measles, a disease declared eliminated in 2000. Over 1,300 cases have been reported across 42 states, largely attributed to growing vaccine hesitancy fueled by misinformation and mistrust in the medical system. This alarming trend highlights a critical public health challenge, prompting a conversation with renowned vaccinologist Bertram Jacobs. Jacobs, whose illustrious career includes developing the smallpox vaccine and contributing to HIV vaccine research, now focuses on creating a more effective monkeypox vaccine at Arizona State University’s Biodesign Institute.
Jacobs emphasizes the vital role vaccines have played in dramatically reducing infectious disease mortality. He underscores the success of the smallpox vaccine, which led to the eradication of a devastating disease. While acknowledging that vaccines carry inherent risks, he stresses their overwhelming benefits, advocating for widespread vaccination to achieve herd immunity, a crucial protective barrier, particularly for diseases like measles. Jacobs expresses frustration with the current climate of vaccine skepticism, arguing that vaccination is a societal responsibility akin to the sacrifices made by soldiers. He believes it’s a collective effort to protect the vulnerable and maintain public health.
During the interview, Jacobs detailed the stringent safety protocols followed in his laboratory when handling deadly viruses. He described the multiple layers of protection, from vaccinations for all lab personnel to specialized protective gear, including powered air-purifying respirators and multiple layers of gloves, ensuring the safety of both researchers and the wider community. He also illustrated the intense focus required when working with viruses, highlighting the profound awareness of the potential consequences of even the smallest mistake. Jacobs recounted an experience working with HIV, realizing the vial he held could have lethal consequences for himself and countless others, emphasizing the gravity of his work.
Further, Jacobs discussed the nature of viruses, describing them as a “mixture of living and nonliving,” capable of reproduction only within host cells. He likened a virus outside a host to an inert chemical, underlining the unique biological characteristics of these microscopic entities.
Reflecting on his career, Jacobs spoke about the satisfaction of developing life-saving vaccines, emphasizing his commitment to improving human health. He compared the vaccine development process to solving a puzzle, combining pieces of information from basic research on viral mechanisms and host defenses to design effective vaccines. He also expressed his concern about growing vaccine skepticism, attributing it partly to misinformation and a broader societal distrust of authority. Jacobs views this skepticism as a public health failure, acknowledging that inconsistent messaging during the COVID-19 pandemic may have eroded public trust.
Jacobs argues that the decline in infectious disease deaths is attributable to improved sanitation, antibiotic availability, and vaccines. He warns that declining vaccine uptake could reverse this progress, leading to preventable deaths. He asserts that this is unacceptable and emphasizes the need to learn from the past, including experiences like the smallpox devastation and the recent COVID-19 pandemic, to avoid repeating history.
Jacobs concludes by advocating for a proactive approach to counter misinformation and rebuild trust in vaccines. He believes showcasing the historical impact of vaccines and highlighting the stark contrast between pre-vaccine and post-vaccine eras could be effective. While he hopes it won’t require widespread sickness and death to change public opinion, he emphasizes the urgency of combating disinformation with scientific facts. He suggests leveraging the influence of pro-vaccine advocates on social media and other platforms to counter the spread of misinformation and promote evidence-based information about vaccines. This multi-faceted approach, combining education, outreach, and clear communication, could be crucial in reversing the current trend of vaccine hesitancy and safeguarding public health.