Analysis
A recent social media post announced a polio vaccine campaign for children up to 14 years old in Tshopo, Democratic Republic of the Congo. In response, some commenters asked why older children needed polio vaccines. One post claimed polio vaccines kill children, and another called polio vaccination “a hoax.”
Recommendations
Some people believe children receive too many polio drops, but that isn’t true. Messaging may explain that every extra polio vaccine dose gives children stronger protection against polio. The polio vaccine is designed to be given to children in multiple doses, so there is no risk of taking too many. Talking points may continue to explain that the polio vaccine has been used safely for decades.