On the latest episode of Policy Chats, Richard Carpiano, a UC Riverside professor of public policy and sociology, talks with UCR public policy students about vaccine hesitancy, herd immunity, and the possibility of vaccine passports.

“The vaccines are incredibly safe, they're incredibly well monitored, and they're incredibly effective,” Carpiano said.

According to his profile, “Carpiano is a public and population health scientist scientist and medical sociologist who studies how social factors, such as socioeconomic status, race-ethnicity, social connections, and community conditions, contribute to the physical and mental health of adults and children. His recent research tones in on social, behavioral, attitudinal, and policy factors underlying vaccination uptake and coverage in the US, Canada, and Denmark.”

Andrea Rayas, a fourth year public policy major who served as co-host for the episode, said, “Dr. Carpiano addressed and understood many American’s hesitation to be vaccinated, but also provides great reassurance.”

Launched in 2020, the UCR School of Public Policy podcast series explores current public policy issues with guests from throughout the policy world. Episodes are accessible via Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Anchor. More information is also available through the UCR School of Public Policy podcast page.