Of the many countries that started their vaccine programmes earlier, Israel is showing positive responses while South Africa is underscoring the need both for constant monitoring and tweaking of vaccine programmes to suit local needs. Unsurprisingly there is a range of responses to vaccines from hesitancy to a desire to jump the queue. How can we communicate the science so that we all act rationally? Melisa Idris and Sharaad Kuttan speak to Dr Ghows Azzam, Associate Professor, School of Biological Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia and Special Advisor to the Minister of Science, Technology & Innovation.