Thread by @KatherineJWu

There's really nothing else out there *quite* like a vaccine: something that protects everyone's health *by* protecting individual health.

I wrote about how many of the vaccine analogies we default to struggle to capture public health. 1/

theatlantic.com/science/archiv…

Finding a perfect analogy is tough. You'd ideally want a tangible tool that can benefit health on multiple scales; something that varies in performance, according to local conditions; something that addresses a threat that is infectious. 2/

Don't get me wrong, I love a lot of the analogies we've all used, and I think they still have their place. But they might be subtly signaling to a frustrated and confused public that vaccination is merely a personal decision, with penned-in consequences. 3/

Arguably, many people DO prioritize personal health over public health. It's closer to home and more tangible. But I think in skating over the public good of vaccines, we miss some opportunities to really convey their benefits. 4/

That's an essential thing to address as we try to get more shots in arms. People who might feel like they themselves are not in peril might be swayed by the idea that the people around them might gain some protection, too. 5/

I'm hoping this piece starts some discussions, especially at a moment when a lot of people are frustrated by stagnating vaccination rates. We shouldn't see this as a war, with sides, or a fight, with teams. We're in this together. Let's try to meet people where they are. 6/

Thank you to @CoraJScott @NeilLewisJr @JenGommerman @m_simanek @blacksciblog for embarking on this journey with me. 7/7

More here:
theatlantic.com/science/archiv…