Fake news and misinformation have been a hallmark of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. These have reached a fever pitch with the announcement of vaccines being developed and deployed, creating a sharp divide between those who are eagerly awaiting their turn to be vaccinated and others who are decrying it all as a hoax. “People are always fearful about what they do not understand,” says Pooja Ramchandran, a healthcare professional with expertise in genomics and public health and stand-up comic.

With so many diverse opinions and half-truths being floated every day, it is important for people to understand the facts in a simplified and objective manner. However, most of us do not have the patience to endure a boring and technical discourse about medicine. “My goal is to combine my experience as a healthcare professional with my love for comedy, to create a unique info-medy show named Vaccine Vibes. I will be sharing facts about the pandemic and allaying attendees’ fears and doubts,” she adds.