Some of the most persistent conspiracy theories surrounding the coronavirus pandemic have continued to spread around the world. While the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation has pledged US$1.6 billion to Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, to protect the next generation with lifesaving vaccines, Bill Gates continues to be a target for coronavirus conspiracy theorists. The strongest of these is the Bill Gates ‘microchip’ conspiracy theory. Rajeev Ahuja worked for two years as a senior economist with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and he has answered some questions relating to the impact of conspiracy theories on the organization.
How and why do you think these rumors appeared?
“To answer this question, one needs to understand the context a little. The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF) has its fair share of detractors who are critical of its highly selective agenda (as opposed to a broad-based agenda) and its style of functioning as seen in the opacity of its engagement and in the full public disclosure of its activities/investments. While BMGF’s approach may be essential to cracking some of the most wicked development problems, it also makes it susceptible to criticism and rumors. For this reason, we do see from time to time, BMGF being in the news for the wrong reasons. Against this backdrop, the recent rumors seem to be the result of a combination of factors including BMGF’s deep interest in vaccine development and in family planning tools, the controversy around Coronavirus being “made” in labs with a specific purpose and some speculation as to BMGF’s role therein.”
How might these rumors affect the BMGF?
“For an organization with the strong mission, deep commitment, significant resources and high visibility that the BMGF has, it is not good to occasionally become caught in controversies. Needless controversies and rumors involving BMGF tend to dent its image, especially in the minds of unsuspecting people or organizations. The BMGF needs to proactively put such rumors to rest. Furthermore, the Foundation needs to set the highest standards of conduct in the absence of which there is a real risk of sensitive stakeholders – be they competent professionals, country governments, partner organizations – not fully associating themselves with the BMGF thereby undermining the Foundation’s mandate. As the largest private philanthropic foundation, BMGF has the responsibility to be a role model.”
Are conspiracy theories powerful enough to drive down vaccination rates and institutional trust around health organizations altogether?
“If you look around, countries do have national immunization programs for their own good, regardless of the conspiracy theories. I don’t think the vaccination coverage rates would be lowered by the conspiracy theories no matter how powerful such theories are. However, what we may see, as a result of these theories, is that countries become cautious about adding new vaccines to their immunization programs. The introduction of new vaccines may be subject to much higher standards of technical scrutiny than at present which may delay their mainstreaming in national programs. On the question of institutional trust, I do think that conspiracy theories tend to create doubts about the credibility of health organizations. At times, the question of trust around health organizations is the direct result of the manner in which those organizations work. When any health organization fails to respond appropriately to any emerging health emergency, people’s trust in it is shaken. This probably endangers institutional trust around health organizations more than the conspiracy theories.”
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