Welcome to the DCE newsletter. Each week you can expect:
Highlights in polio news from around the world.
Summaries of trending narratives and false information about polio in English and French.
Information about what’s spreading, the common themes referenced, and the level of risk narratives pose to vaccination efforts.
Screenshots of false narratives without identifying information.
Ready-to-post downloadable content in response to one of the trending narratives.
Note from our editors: We’re taking a break for a few weeks and will return soon. In the meantime, you can still access insights on trending polio narratives, updated multiple times a week, at Polio Pulse.
On May 15, WHO declared a polio outbreak in Papua New Guinea after confirming two cVDPV2 cases. Poliovirus was detected in the nation’s capital, Port Moresby, as well as in its second largest city, Lae, where the two cases were reported. WHO officials called for an immediate vaccination campaign. Papua New Guinea has one of the lowest polio immunization rates in the world, with only around half the population being vaccinated.
A months-long vaccine shortage in Kenya has caused widespread confusion and frustration for parents throughout the country. The health secretary recently acknowledged a shortage of polio and tuberculosis vaccines, but insisted that they will be available by June 15. The shortage reportedly resulted from the government’s failure to meet funding requirements.
The final week of April marked the 15th African Vaccination Week. This year’s campaign aimed to deliver vaccines to zero-dose children, to highlight the impact of vaccines in Africa, and to improve immunization practices across the continent. Meanwhile, efforts to increase vaccine production in Africa are underway, with the African Union aiming to locally produce 60 percent of its vaccines by 2040.
Trending narratives
Tuberculosis vaccine trial sparks concern about polio vaccine safety
Many social media users responded negatively to recent reports that the Gates Foundation will help fund a clinical trial for a new tuberculosis vaccine. Several commenters accused Bill Gates of using Indonesian people as “guinea pigs” and repeated the myth that Gates funded a polio vaccine that paralyzed thousands of Indian children. One commenter questioned an artificial intelligence chatbot about past vaccine trials and whether Gates caused outbreaks in Ethiopia with polio vaccines that had to be destroyed. The AI chatbot correctly explained that the vaccines were not destroyed because they were unsafe, but as a standard disposal process for a specific vaccine that is only used under strict WHO guidelines.
Geography: EAPR: Indonesia
Themes: Conspiracy theories; Research and clinical trials; Safety and side effects
🟡 Risk assessment: Medium risk
Some people distrust international aid organizations, like the Gates Foundation, fearing that they have sinister motives. Informing the public about how local health ministries work with international aid organizations to develop and distribute vaccines is recommended. For example, the Gates Foundation provided funding support to Bio Farma, an Indonesian company that produces vaccines that protect children in countries around the world. The company is managed by the Indonesian government without foreign interference. Messaging may explain that the polio vaccine, like all vaccines, is thoroughly tested to ensure its safety.
Doctor promotes misleading claims about the polio vaccine campaign in Gaza
A Palestinian doctor criticized the use of oral polio vaccines in Gaza, suggesting that they will do more harm to the malnourished and extremely vulnerable population. The post describes OPV as a vaccine rejected by other nations that carries a high risk of vaccine-associated polio. Although the wording is unclear, the post falsely suggests that cVDPV is a risk to vaccinated children. Most responses to the post were generally in agreement and supportive of the message. Two users noted that the vaccine used in Gaza is the novel OPV2, while the doctor appears to be referring to other OPVs.
Geography: MENA: Palestine
Themes: Effectiveness; Safety and side effects
🔴 Risk assessment: High risk
The sensitive nature of the topic, the fact that the source is a health communicator, and the potential to cause vaccine hesitancy during an ongoing outbreak increase the risk. Some people argue that the rare occurrence of vaccine-derived polio is a reason not to accept OPV. But this argument ignores that OPV is the only way to prevent polio spread and protect children during an active outbreak. Communicators are encouraged to respond with empathy and understanding to concerns about OPV safety.
Talking points may explain that OPV is used in countries around the world because it is safe, provides lifelong protection, and is the only vaccine that can prevent poliovirus spread. The vaccine has protected billions of children and multiple generations. Trusted communicators may also emphasize that cVDPV is very rare and does not pose a risk to vaccinated children. Messaging may also explain that nOPV2, the vaccine administered in Gaza, carries a significantly low risk of cVDPV2.
Post falsely claims that polio did not exist before polio vaccines
A social media user with over 33,000 followers posted several myths about polio vaccines—and vaccines generally—over the last few days. In one post, he falsely claims that polio didn’t exist until polio vaccines were introduced. The post received several supportive responses. In a video post with nearly 7,000 views, he accused Bill Gates of using vaccines to reduce the global population.
Geography: ESAR: Kenya
Themes: Conspiracy theories; Necessity
🟡 Risk assessment: Medium risk
The posts show the continued spread of myths and conspiracy theories about polio and the importance of polio vaccines. Health messengers may respond to these false claims by explaining that polio was discovered centuries before any vaccines were available. Vaccination is the only way to prevent polio and is responsible for eliminating wild polio in most countries worldwide. Messaging may continue to emphasize that polio vaccines are well-tested and have been used safely for generations.
Conspiracy theories circulate as Pakistan reports poliovirus in wastewater
Pakistan reported positive wastewater samples from 18 districts, along with its eighth polio case this year. Some social media users responded to the news by calling the polio vaccine “poison” and claiming that polio vaccination campaigns are a “big conspiracy” to leave the population barren.
Geography: ROSA: Pakistan
Themes: Conspiracy theories; Safety and side effects
🟢 Risk assessment: Low risk
Although these claims received little attention, they are examples of how some people believe polio vaccines are a threat to their population. Communicators may continue to explain that polio vaccines are well tested and have been used safely for generations.
Video claims—without evidence—that polio drops caused disabilities
In a video spreading online in Iran, a person purporting to be a disability care worker claims that some patients at their center have disabilities caused by polio drops. Health authorities have not confirmed any of the claims in the video. The video has been shared and viewed many times on social media, including on one post that received over 16,000 likes and nearly 700 comments. Although some responses criticized people sharing the video for spreading “ignorance,” others expressed negative views about vaccines. One popular comment encouraged parents not to vaccinate their children, while another claims that vaccines slow children’s development.
Geography: MENA: Iran
Themes: Safety and side effects
🟡 Risk assessment: Medium risk
Unverified stories that spread online about injuries allegedly caused by vaccines can make people doubt the safety of vaccines. Communicators may respond to these stories by emphasizing that polio vaccines have been used safely and given to billions of children worldwide for decades. Messaging may explain that vaccines are the only way to protect children from polio and stop the spread of the virus.
Content to share in response to trending narratives
Below, we’ve provided a social media asset in English and French that directly responds to the first alert above, Tuberculosis vaccine trial sparks concern about polio vaccine safety. Use this prebunking asset on Facebook or Instagram to help provide your communities with accurate information. Just click on the asset, and it will pop up in a new window. Then right-click the asset to download.
