This Viewpoint discusses the importance of carefully evaluating SARS-CoV-2 vaccine candidates for safety and efficacy in the context of political pressure to accelerate the process, widespread vaccine hesitancy and refusal, and distrust of science.

A 17-year-old obese male was admitted to the pediatric intensive care unit after presenting with fluid-responsive septic shock following 7 days of fever, gastrointestinal symptoms and neck pain. Initial workup was positive for SARS-CoV-2 and elevated troponin I and brain natriuretic peptide. Echocardiography and cardiac magnetic resonance imaging confirmed acute myocarditis. One week after discharge, repeat echocardiogram demonstrated improved heart function with only residual myocardial dysfunction.

The authors of this commentary discuss the “Peltzman Effect,” a phenomenon in which individuals respond to safety measures with a compensatory increase in risky behavior, and how it relates to the COVID-19 pandemic through “pandemic fatigue” and postvaccination behavior.

Vaccines are one of the greatest medical innovations of all time, but there has been skepticism about them throughout history. Although initial concerns about scarcity increased public demand for COVID-19 vaccines, as supply meets demand, vaccine hesitancy may become a defining theme of the next stage of the COVID-19 pandemic.