The recent assertion of the Union Health Minister that lockdowns and social distancing are the most effective “social vaccines” to combat Covid-19 warrants a deeper exploration on this concept and its effectiveness. This write up aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of social vaccines, their application during pandemics, their role amidst Covid-19, with a special focus on the role it had in controlling the HIV/AIDS pandemic.
Understanding the Social Vaccine
In public health, a social vaccine is akin to a metaphor for a series of social and behavioural measures utilized by governments to heighten public awareness about unhealthy circumstances. This process is enabled via social mobilisation, where people are organized to collectively deliberate and act upon their welfare. Social vaccines primarily address barriers and facilitors of behaviour change, such as attitudes, social and cultural norms, and economic factors. The strategic use of communication approaches to encourage shifts in these areas is known as Social and Behaviour Change Communication (SBCC).
Applying the Social Vaccine during Pandemics
In the context of a pandemic, the effectiveness of a social vaccine hinges on how well information about personal infection risk and risk reduction methods are disseminated and taken up by the populace. For instance, Uganda and Thailand commendably used SBCC strategies during the HIV/AIDS pandemic, thereby curtailing the incidence of HIV infection prior to the introduction of Highly Active Antiretroviral Treatment(HAART) in 1995. Their actions exemplify how an effective social vaccine can keep the situation under control until medical treatments are discovered.
Social Vaccine and Covid-19
The knowledge and experiences garnered from managing the HIV/AIDS pandemic can be creatively adapted to the current pandemic. For instance, maintaining physical distancing and wearing masks in public spaces along with regular disinfection practices are crucial preventive measures. Public endorsement of these behaviours by leaders, communal consent on their importance, and accessibility of the required resources can ensure better compliance. A crucial factor for the success of government-imposed mitigation strategies is trust.
Practising Social Mobilisation Amidst Covid-19
Social mobilisation prompts people to hold their leaders accountable in crucial areas like rapid scaling-up of testing, addressing the basic needs of vulnerable sections, abstaining from politicising the pandemic, ensuring availability of adequate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to health workers, and respecting the privacy and dignity of infected individuals.
The Role of Social Vaccine in Controlling the HIV/AIDS Pandemic
The Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) was detected as a pandemic in 1985, creating a widespread panic as the cause remained unknown until 1984 and diagnostic tests were unavailable till 1985. This led to debilitating societal effects such as stigmatization, misinformation, unemployment, homelessness, and violence. Addressing this crisis required acknowledging that everyone was potentially infected. Following this, measures conflicting with societal norms were implemented through Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) and SBCC activities. The role of religious and community leaders as change agents was noteworthy during this time.
Looking Ahead
Despite advances in medical technology, there is still no definitive biomedical vaccine for HIV/AIDS. With vaccines for SARS-CoV-2/Covid-19 possibly not providing a complete solution, social vaccines remain essential. These can build societal immunity to the devastating effects of future pandemics by drawing lessons from the root causes and responses to previous pandemics.
