Trust is Critical for Vaccine Efficacy
A vaccine's value is diminished if the people who need to take it do not trust it.
1TED Talks Daily
Your Vaccine Questions Deserve Real Answers
Immunologist Kizzmekia Corbett argues that bridging the gap between scientists and the public is the key to vaccine trust and pandemic readiness.
The primary obstacle to vaccine efficacy is not the science itself, but the gap between scientists and the public's honest questions about the shots.
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Your vaccine questions deserve real answers | Kizzmekia Corbett | Your Body on Tech
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What to know before you press play.
The Science Was Not the Hardest Part
Kizzmekia Corbett, who co-developed the first COVID-19 vaccine to enter clinical trials, states that making the vaccine was not the most difficult challenge.
2Bridging the Scientist-Public Gap
The real obstacle lies in the disconnect between scientists and the public, who have honest questions about the vaccines they are asked to take.
3Approaching Vaccine Inquisitiveness
Corbett shares a refreshing approach to addressing vaccine questions to ensure humanity is prepared for future pandemics.
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Keep the question moving.
“How can scientists better communicate with the public to build vaccine trust?”
“What are the most common honest questions people have about vaccines?”
“How does the 'Your Body on Tech' series connect vaccine trust to digital health?”
Background reading
The context behind the episode.
Series Context
Your Body on Tech
This episode is part of a seven-part series exploring how to live a healthier life in a high-tech era, curated by guest host Manoush Zomorodi for TED2026.
6Questions
Questions to carry into the episode.
Why is vaccine trust important?
Because a vaccine is less effective if the people who need to take it do not trust it.
1What was the hardest part of developing the COVID-19 vaccine?
Making the vaccine was not the hardest part; the real obstacle was the gap between scientists and the public.
23How can humanity prepare for the next pandemic?
By adopting a refreshing approach to vaccine inquisitiveness and ensuring the public is ready.
4Experts
Voices named in the source.
Kizzmekia Corbett
Immunologist and TED Fellow
2Sources and disclosure
Where this guide comes from.
This episode is part of a seven-part series on TED Talks Daily curated by Manoush Zomorodi. Hosted on Acast.
- Publisher show notes
What good is a vaccine people don't trust?
- Publisher show notes
Immunologist and TED Fellow Kizzmekia Corbett co-developed the first COVID-19 vaccine to enter clinical trials — but she'll tell you that making the vaccine was never the hardest part.
- Publisher show notes
The real obstacle is the gap between scientists and the people who have honest questions about the shots they're being asked to take.
- Publisher show notes
She shares a refreshing approach for taking on vaccine inquisitiveness and ensuring that humanity is ready for the next pandemic.
- Publisher show notes
And stick around after her talk for a deep dive conversation with our guest host for the week, author and podcaster Manoush Zomorodi, into the ideas she shared on stage and beyond.
- Publisher show notes
This is episode three of a seven-part series airing this week on TED Talks Daily, where Manoush — and the seven speakers she curated for TED2026 — explore how you can live a healthier life in our high-tech era.
- Publisher show notes
To hear more from Manoush, listen to TED Radio Hour wherever you get your podcasts. Check out her new book, Body Electric, to learn more about the hidden health costs of the digital age
- Publisher show notes
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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