All-Star #VaccineVarta Celebrity Panel Debunks Vaccination Myths

A celebrity all-star video starring R. Balki, Mini Mathur, Sanjana Sanghi and Ranveer Allahbadia of BeerBiceps has released to address the myths and fallacies surrounding the COVID-19 vaccination. Engaging, energetic and humorous at times, the panel sees India’s leading cardiovascular surgeon, Chairman and Managing Director at Medanta - The Medicity, Dr. Naresh Trehan, put to the test by the stars over the biggest myths surrounding the COVID-19 vaccine.

The no holds barred video brings to light some of the key elements of vaccine hesitancy in India, predominantly driven by social media and internet rumour, and sees Dr. Trehan, who is widely considered as one of the go-to doctors for COVID-19 discussions in India, debunk several elements of misinformation. The questions posed to him include fears around the unprecedented speed of which the vaccine was approved, long term side effects such as infertility, right down to the social media conspiracies around microchipping – for all of which he sets the record straight.

Speaking following the production of the panel, the stars said the following:

Mini Mathur: “After having many questions about the COVID-19 vaccine, I now have my answers. I had plenty to ask & Dr Trehan gave me all the reassurance I need. The message for us Indians is clear: listen to the experts, not the rumours”.

Sanjana Sanghi: “For many young Indians, there are a few worries we have when we read rumours about the vaccine, but we had great fun discussing the science and debunking the myths. Crucially, I now know so much more than I did before & feel much more confident.”

Ranveer Allahbadia of BeerBiceps: “Thanks to Dr Trehan I now know so much more about the safety of the vaccine and am looking forward to receiving mine so I can embrace my friends & family safely.”

R. Balki:  “There is a situation in India where rumours circulate to create apprehension around the vaccine, but with this kind of clarity we are able to put an end to misinformation and find the trust in the vaccine that we need.”

The #VaccineVarta panel was conceived and produced by The World We Want (WWW), a purpose-driven global social impact enterprise launched to accelerate the achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030 through positive action, strategic communications, multi-stakeholder collaborations and creative campaigns.

More than 30 million people have received a first does of the COVID-19 vaccine in India since the first jab was administrated on 16th January 2021, in what is deemed to be the world’s most substantial vaccination rollout. The Indian government is now urging those over 60 and/or 45-49 with specified co-morbidities to register for their vaccine.