As federal officials responsible for recommending vaccines urge doctors and patients to share decision-making when it comes to getting vaccinated, Athenians gathered to hear from local infectious diseases experts in a town hall meeting yesterday evening.
Dr. David Lockman, a retired physician who practiced in Athens for 15 years, organized the town hall on vaccines to provide clarity on everything from vaccine schedules to health insurance.
Lockman was joined on stage by Fred Quinn, a professor of infectious diseases at UGA, and Dr. Chris Whalen, a local physician-epidemiologist.
The majority of the crowd was pro-vaccination, so the session consisted mainly of information dissemination, rather than debate.
Attendee Cassie Myers summed up much of the crowd’s reactions. “I didn’t have reservations about the vaccine myself just because I’m trusting in the scientists of my government," she said, "but it was nice being able to confirm those things.”
There’s been a sharp increase in vaccine hesitancy over the past several years, exacerbated by changes in the Federal Government and in federal vaccine policy. According to a 2023 study, common reservations about vaccines mainly revolve around vaccines safety and effectiveness. Other concerns stem from moral values, religious beliefs and political identification.
An audience member said to the crowd that opposing viewpoints should be met with curiosity, not judgment, saying “I think it’s very important to understand where that point of view comes from. And, I would say every single time it comes from protection.”
The speakers and attendees all seemed to agree with this sentiment.
