Polio Pulse

Polio Pulse provides social listening insights to support GPEI’s polio interventions on disinformation, crisis communication, and strategic communication. Data is monitored from polio-endemic and outbreak countries and geographies classified by GPEI, covering 12 major languages spoken in these regions. The platform is managed by the UNICEF Digital Community Engagement (DCE) team.

Low Risk

Posts say that Muslims shouldn’t give their children “useless” polio vaccines

Geography
Afghanistan
Pakistan
Themes
Necessity
Religion

Analysis

Online posts asked Afghan refugees returning from Pakistan to give their children polio drops. One comment called polio drops “evil” and warned Muslim parents to protect their children. Some posts called polio drops “useless” and a “disease.” Others said that other diseases are more important than polio.

Recommendations

The posts did not receive much attention, which decreases their risk. Consider working with faith leaders to explain that polio vaccines are allowed and supported in Islam. Talking points may explain that vaccines are the only way to protect children from polio.