Why building trust is harder than developing a life-saving vaccine
In short: Immunologist Kizzmekia Corbett, a co-developer of the first COVID-19 vaccine to enter clinical trials, argues that scientific innovation is only half the battle. She explains why addressing public skepticism is essential for global health and how we can better prepare for future pandemics.
Corbett suggests that the primary challenge in vaccination efforts is not the technical development of the medicine, but the disconnect between researchers and the public. By engaging directly with the honest questions people have about vaccines, scientists can bridge the trust gap that hinders medical progress.
Recorded at TED2026 on April 15, 2026, the talk emphasizes that a vaccine's effectiveness is limited if the population remains hesitant. Corbett advocates for a more transparent, communicative approach to ensure humanity is better equipped to handle the next pandemic.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Your Vaccine Questions Deserve Real Answers | Kizzmekia Corbett | TED
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