To the Editor:

Re “Scientists Fret as White House Rushes Vaccine” (front page, Aug. 3):

While the administration pursues a dangerous rush to approve a Covid-19 vaccine, people need to recognize that a vaccine for this disease must be effective to be safe.

Inoculating people with a vaccine that does not protect will create a false sense of security and result in the abandonment of safeguards like masks and social distancing. The vaccinated will become a new vector, getting sick themselves and spreading the disease.

Deluded that they are immunized against Covid, too many people will dismiss symptoms as resulting from less devastating diseases. They will not self-quarantine, and public health agencies will not be able to persuade exposed people to limit contact with other, susceptible people.

There are other reasons not to …continued .
[Source: New York Times]