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

Anti-drug posts claim that polio drops are given at gunpoint

Geography
Pakistan
Themes
Conspiracy theories

Analysis

Several social media posts opposing drug use in Pakistan claim that polio drops are “administered at gunpoint.” Identical posts have circulated online periodically for years.

Recommendations

While these comments had limited reach, the myth that polio vaccines are being “forced” on people is common. This false claim demonstrates the widespread nature of false claims about the polio vaccine and distrust of global health efforts. Emphasizing that polio has no cure and that vaccines are the only way to protect children from the debilitating disease and highlighting that the polio vaccine has been rigorously tested and administered safely for several generations is recommended.